The top luxury casinos around the world.

Not that we condone casino gaming  while you are on holiday, but there is something intriguing about these palaces of sin. The chances are good that you are curious about visiting one of the real luxury ones.

One casino that is a must for anyone dreaming of luxury is the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco, which did a lot to establish the reputation of Monte Carlo amongst the jet set. This establishment owes its design to Charles Garnier, who was also responsible for the Opera House and it has featured in a number of famous films – including the likes of GoldenEye and Once Upon a Crime. Like many of the really luxurious casinos though, it is not for the faint hearted, as much of the gaming here is for the high rollers, but it is a place for living out your fantasies for the night.

The main rival to Monte Carlo when it comes to casinos has always been Las Vegas, and there is no shortage of luxurious casinos there either. However one which stands out even in such exalted company is the MGM Grand, which fully lives up to its name. The 6.6-acre complex contains five swimming pools, waterfalls and rivers, the Garden Arena (which hosts live music and sports events) and the Grand Spa, while the casino is one of the biggest in the world – with 139 table games and 2,500 online pokies.

Finally, the resort of Macau is home to the Mandarin Oriental, which is smaller than either of the other two featured here, but its two VIP rooms are the equals of them in terms of luxury gambling. It is easily the most opulent casino in Macau, and shows how the resort is emerging as a serious rival to the likes of Monte Carlo and Las Vegas.