Las Vegas: Casino Royale

Renowned the world over as the gambling destination, Monte Carlo, located in Las Vegas, US, was built under the aegis of Prince Charles III, with the objective of improving the State's financial status. Patronized by seasoned gamblers and frequently visited by new players and celebrities, Monte Carlo has one of the finest gambling environments in the world.

  Designed by Charles Garnier, famous for his Paris Opera architecture, Monte Carlo is built in Baroque style. Initially, the casino, which was run by Francois Blanc, had met several roadblocks, but gradually it picked up momentum and generated substantial amounts of revenue for the State. In 1898, its reins were taken over by Societe Des Baines de Mer, a private firm. Today, huge amounts are spent by tourists swayed by its appeal, which contributes substantially to the state economy.

  Monte Carlo's casino history is replete with fascinating gambling stories. The two prominent and enthralling incidents that stand apart involve Joseph Jagger and Charles Wells. Jagger discovered that the roulette wheels at the casino came up with certain definite numbers more repeatedly. This knowledge helped him win large sums of money, earning him the title, 'the man who busts the bank record at Monte Carlo.' On the other hand, Wells, a con artist, swindled the casino by using the Martingale Doubling System, whereby he doubled his bet each time by tricks and won millions.  

  Moving away from its casino image, Monte Carlo has been organizing poker tournaments lately. It hosted its first poker event in 2004, aptly named 'Monte Carlo Millions'. The tournament, with the prize money of $14,000 had around 80 participants, with Phil Ivey, a renowned poker professional, leading the pack. In the following year, Ivey won the tournament and bagged a million dollars in prize money. Tourists as well as the rich and famous continue to flock to this magical world lured by its sheer magnificence.