Famous casinos

Since Nevada became the first state in the USA to legalise casino style gambling in 1931 Las Vegas has changed out of all recognition. In the early days gambling was closely linked to the mob but that changed when Howard Hughes bought six casinos in the 1960s. Today the gambling industry, which provides 43 per cent of the state generated fund, is carefully monitored by tax watchdogs and the Las Vegas Gambling Authority.

Of the 34 million people who visit Las Vegas each year, 65 per cent say they didn’t come to gamble but 87 per cent end up at the slot machines or tables at some point during their stay spending on average $480 each. But there is only one way of making sure you make money from a casino and that’s to own one!  Each year the gambling business makes almost $10b (about £5m) with around two-thirds of that coming from slot machines alone. That’s a lot of nickels!

Although each casino has its own individual theme the set-up is basically the same; you’ll find row upon row of noisy, colourful slot machines and smaller, quieter areas with card tables and roulette wheels. The Strip is where the more family-orientated casinos tend to be while the serious gambler will head downtown.

Vegas is all about living it large and to prove this the MGM Grand has the biggest casino-entertainment complex in the world. Its 3700 slot machines, 17 roulette wheels, 76 blackjack and 15 craps tables cover an amazing 16,000 sq m (171,500 sq ft). Paris Las Vegas offers its gamblers a touch of French elegance. Under a replica of the Eiffel Tower, which at 165m (540ft) is half the size of the original, the casino’s 200 slot and video machines and 100 gaming tables are set in Parisian décor.

Probably one of the most famous casinos in Las Vegas is also one of the oldest. The Flamingo was originally opened on New Years Eve 1945 by infamous gangster Benjamin 'Bugsy' Siegel. He installed bullet-proof glass in his office and built in escape routes but this didn’t help him when he was gunned down at his girlfriend’s Hollywood apartment six months later. The Flamingo was remodelled in 1995 and is now owned by the Hilton group. At its sister hotel, the Las Vegas Hilton, high rollers can enter a million dollar blackjack tournament for an entry fee of $1,000 (about £515) which includes a three-night stay.

Downtown Las Vegas is home to another famous casino, the Golden Nugget, which opened in 1946. Its marble floors, gleaming brass and crystal chandeliers bring Victorian-style elegance to this part of town. On display in the casino you’ll find the world’s largest gold nugget, known as the 'Hand of Faith' which weighs a whopping 27.2kg (60lbs). Across the street the 4 Queens boasts of having the largest slot machine in the world (six people can play at once) and the biggest blackjack table.