A casino is a building that houses games of chance, like slots and blackjack. These games generate the billions of dollars in profits that casinos rake in each year, but there’s more to these buildings than gambling alone. They are often built to impress, with dramatic architecture and a wide array of non-gambling amenities like restaurants, bars and pools. Whether they’re historic palaces of luxury or modern glass-and-steel temples of indulgence, these 10 megacasinos offer a mindblowing array of attractions.

The word casino is derived from the Italian city-state of Casin, which was famous for its gaming tables and clubs. In Europe, the casino concept spread as people either thought of it themselves or borrowed from the Italians. Nowadays, most casinos are like indoor amusement parks for adults, with music, stage shows and elaborate themes. But the main attraction is still gambling, and the most popular games are slots, poker, craps and roulette.

Most casinos also offer free hotel rooms, meals and tickets to shows for “good” players. These comps are given out based on how much a player spends, and how long he or she plays. In addition, casinos have sophisticated surveillance systems and cameras that can be adjusted to focus on specific patrons, so that a cheat or criminal is caught before he or she leaves the building.