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Time Magazine
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
The Top 10 Casinos in the World According to AI
This article is published by a partner of TIME. Casinos have long been synonymous with luxury, excitement, and the thrill of chance. Across the globe, these establishments offer not just a gaming experience but a gateway to a world of glamour, entertainment, and indulgence. Whether nestled in the dazzling lights of Las Vegas or perched amidst breathtaking natural settings, the world's top casinos are destinations in their own right, drawing millions of visitors annually. What sets the best casinos apart is their ability to offer more than just gambling. They combine architectural grandeur, world-class hospitality and dining options, diverse entertainment options, and cultural significance. From poker to slot machines, blackjack to baccarat, these casinos cater to seasoned players and casual tourists alike, ensuring an unforgettable experience. In this article, using research assistance from ChatGPT, we explore the top 10 casinos in the world. They were chosen for their remarkable offerings, cultural impact, and unique allure. Each of these establishments represents the pinnacle of casino culture, blending opulence with world-class gaming to deliver a lively and exciting experience. 1. The Venetian Macao The Venetian Macao is a masterpiece of luxury, often referred to as the crown jewel of Asia's gambling capital. Modeled after its Las Vegas counterpart, this sprawling resort features stunning replicas of Venice's canals, complete with gondola rides. With over 376,000 square feet of gaming space, it's the largest casino in the world and a symbol of grandeur. 2. Bellagio The Bellagio in Las Vegas is renowned for its elegance and iconic fountains. Inspired by Italy's Lake Como, the Bellagio combines sophistication with high-stakes gaming. It's also a cultural hub, hosting fine art exhibits and world-class shows such as Cirque du Soleil's 'O.' 3. Casino de Monte-Carlo The Casino de Monte-Carlo is a symbol of old-world luxury and sophistication. Nestled in the glamorous principality of Monaco, this casino is renowned for its opulent décor and high-stakes gaming. It has also served as a backdrop for several James Bond films, cementing its iconic luxury status. 4. Marina Bay Sands Marina Bay Sands is a modern architectural marvel in Singapore, featuring three iconic towers topped by the world-famous SkyPark. Its casino boasts a massive gaming floor, but the resort's other attractions, including luxury shopping and a rooftop infinity pool, make it a must-visit. 5. Wynn Palace Located in the Cotai Strip of Macao, Wynn Palace is synonymous with luxury. Known for its breathtaking floral displays and gondola rides around the property's Performance Lake, Wynn Palace offers an exceptional blend of gaming and high-end amenities. 6. Foxwoods Resort Casino Foxwoods, located on Native American land in Connecticut, is one of the largest casino resorts in North America. It combines traditional gaming with entertainment, golf, and retail shopping, offering something for everyone. Year Built: 1986 Location: Mashantucket, Connecticut, USA Reason for Inclusion: A pioneer in casino resorts with diverse entertainment options Principal Games Played: Bingo, craps, keno, slots Key Attraction: HighFlyer Zipline over the resort grounds Dining: Offers more than 30 restaurants and bars Key Fact: Operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation 7. Resorts World Sentosa Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore offers more than just gaming—it's a family-friendly destination with attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore, S.E.A. Aquarium, and luxury hotels. 8. Caesars Palace A mainstay on the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace blends Roman-inspired architecture with world-class gaming and entertainment. Known for hosting legendary performances, it's a cultural and gaming hotspot. 9. Sun City Resort Sun City in South Africa is a unique blend of casino gaming and resort living. Surrounded by natural beauty, it offers luxury accommodations, world-class golf courses, and wildlife safaris. 10. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas is a marvel of design, recreating the charm of Venice with canals, gondolas, and Italian architecture. Its expansive casino floor and luxurious amenities make it a standout destination on the Strip. Conclusion on Top 10 Casinos The world's top casinos are more than just gambling venues—they're cultural landmarks, architectural marvels, and centers of entertainment. Whether you're walking the luxurious halls of The Venetian Macao or enjoying the historic charm of Casino de Monte-Carlo, each of these destinations offers a unique experience that goes well beyond gambling and the casino floor. These establishments exemplify the glamour, excitement, and allure of casino culture. From high-stakes gaming to luxurious amenities, they continue to attract visitors seeking unforgettable moments. Whether you're an avid gambler or a curious traveler, these casinos represent the best of what the world has to offer. Related Articles: About the Authors: Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn. Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies. Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
Time Magazine
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time Magazine
As Musk Leaves DOGE, What Comes Next After the Billionaire's Government Experiment?
When Elon Musk launched into his government crusade with a chainsaw in hand at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February, few in Washington understood just how disruptive his tenure would become. But three months later, as the billionaire entrepreneur is set to step down from his role as the most visible face behind the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he leaves behind a complicated legacy that includes thousands of layoffs, the evisceration of government agencies, and frequent clashes with top members of the Trump Administration. Musk also leaves Washington well short of his goal of reducing federal spending by $1 trillion, only having cut around $175 billion. Musk's role working for President Donald Trump was always intended to be temporary, and he had recently expressed interest in returning his focus to his businesses. But his departure, announced late Wednesday on X, the social platform he owns, marks a striking turning point for the federal government's ambitious cost-cutting agency he helped define. 'The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,' Musk wrote of his efforts to cut federal spending. He added that his 'scheduled time' as a special government employee had come to an end, since he is not permitted to work more than 130 days in a 365-day period under that designation. Here's what to know about the future of DOGE without Musk. Why is Musk leaving? As a special government employee, Musk was only permitted to serve in the Trump Administration for 130 days. That deadline was set to expire on Friday, May 30. Musk, who has spent nearly his entire career working in Silicon Valley, has also made no secret of his frustrations with Washington. He recently told The Washington Post that the 'federal bureaucracy situation is much worse' than he expected, and it was 'an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C., to say the least.' He added in an interview with Ars Technica that 'I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics' and that he intentionally 'reduced' his involvement 'significantly in recent weeks.' Trump had also clashed with top White House officials during his tenure in the government. In April, he criticized White House trade adviser Peter Navarro over the sweeping tariffs Trump had imposed on trading partners. In a series of posts on X, Musk called Navarro a 'moron' and added that Tesla 'has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks.' He followed with an apology, saying the comparison was 'so unfair to bricks.' His exit also comes one day after he publicly criticized Trump's $2.2 trillion domestic spending bill that passed the House last week, saying he was 'disappointed' that it would increase the federal deficit. 'I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,' Musk told CBS News. 'But I don't know if it could be both.' The Congressional Budget Office has said that the bill's tax provisions would increase federal deficits by $3.8 trillion over the decade, while cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other services would only reduce spending by slightly more than $1 trillion over the same period. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday thanked Musk 'for getting DOGE off the ground' and announced that 'the efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse will continue' after Musk's departure. Musk's once commanding presence in the Trump Administration appeared to diminish in recent weeks. He had previously appeared with Trump in the Oval Office and his Cabinet meetings, often donning the President's signature MAGA gear. Trump had even bought a Tesla that he showed for cameras on the White House lawn as protests and demonstrations against Musk's company began gaining steam. Tesla's stock slid significantly amid concerns that his unpopularity was damaging the electric-vehicle maker's brand. Musk announced he would pivot back to running his companies '24/7' now that he's finished with DOGE, claiming 'I must be super focused on X/xAI and Tesla.' He also vowed to substantially cut back his political spending in future elections after he pumped nearly $290 million into the 2024 election helping Trump and other Republican candidates. "I think in terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future," Musk said on May 20. "I think I've done enough." What has DOGE accomplished? The U.S. DOGE Service, launched by executive order on Trump's first day back in office, was created to eradicate what the White House called waste, fraud and abuse from the government—one of the President's campaign promises. Trump tapped Musk, the world's richest person, to lead the effort after he donated more than $290 million to help his campaign and other Republican candidates. (In later court filings the government argued that Amy Gleason was DOGE's administrator, though Musk had been the public face of DOGE). Musk's unorthodox—and often secretive—slash-and-burn tactics often sowed chaos during his tenure in the government. Early on, he was criticized for sending his team of DOGE representatives—mostly young engineers—into federal buildings to gain access to sensitive internal systems. It was part of his effort to shutter agencies that Musk and others in the Administration disliked, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB). Those efforts wreaked havoc on federal workers and prompted a litany of lawsuits seeking to rein in Musk's chainsaw, many of them questioning the legality of DOGE's sweeping access to confidential data and the dismantling of agencies. Critics also argued that the government was consolidating too much power under Musk, a private citizen. His efforts to reshape the government also led to more than 200,000 federal workers and contractors being laid off. The firings began after the government's offer for federal workers to accept a so-called buyout—an offer initiated by Musk allies at the Office of Personnel Management—expired on Feb. 12. Musk later introduced a controversial requirement that employees send emails listing five things they accomplished each week, an effort he said would increase accountability. On cost-cutting measures, the DOGE receipts posted to its website show it has terminated more than 10,000 federal contracts it deems unnecessary or wasteful, including high-profile agreements related to federal technology infrastructure and healthcare programs. The contracts span around 40 federal departments and agencies, according to DOGE, totaling roughly $32 billion of the $175 billion it claims to have saved. Musk had originally said he planned for $1 trillion in annual spending cuts. What happens next? White House officials say that DOGE will continue following Musk's departure, but are yet to announce details on its revised leadership structure. Leavitt, the press secretary, said that DOGE will be led by 'each and every member of the President's cabinet and the President himself.' She added that the goal remains the same: to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from the government. Some have speculated that Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget known for his role drafting the conservative Project 2025 agenda, could soon take the helm of DOGE. The longtime Trump ally and budget guru worked closely with Musk on the initiative, leading efforts to cut agency regulations and pushing a controversial idea in favor of Trump's authority to impound funds. The agency is scheduled to sunset in 2026. The White House declined to comment when asked if Musk would retain an informal advisory role.
Time Magazine
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ‘Disappointed' as Trump Considers Pardoning Men Who Plotted to Kidnap Her
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has expressed her disappointment after President Donald Trump said he would 'take a look at' pardoning the men who were convicted of plotting to kidnap her in 2020. 'I'm disappointed that they're even considering it, frankly,' Gov. Whitmer, a Democrat, said in an interview with WOOD-TV on Thursday. Whitmer said she intends on expressing these feelings to the White House, also. She went on to condemn political violence as a whole —something Trump was also a victim of in July 2024 after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Penn. 'You know, when the President got it in Pennsylvania, I was one of the first people on either side of the aisle to condemn it,' Whitmer said. 'We have to condemn political violence, no matter where it comes from, no matter who it's aimed at. It does a disservice to everyone, if we do anything short of that.' Trump's comments were made in the Oval Office on Wednesday when he swore in Jeanine Pirro as D.C.'s interim U.S. attorney. 'I will take a look at it. It's been brought to my attention,' Trump told reporters when asked if he would pardon the men. 'I did watch the trial. It looked to me like somewhat of a railroad job. I'll be honest with you, it looked to me like some people said some stupid things.' In October 2020, during Trump's first term in office, the federal government revealed its bust of the elaborate conspiracy to kidnap Whitmer, who had been criticized by right-wing politicians, including Trump, over her COVID-19 policies. The investigation resulted in the charging of over a dozen people linked with a local rightwing militia group, the Wolverine Watchmen. In the end, there were nine combined convictions and guilty pleas and five acquittals in the case. The same day that the Department of Justice announced the initial arrests made in relation to the plot to kidnap Whitmer, Trump criticized her via social media. 'Governor Whitmer of Michigan has done a terrible job,' he wrote. 'My Justice Department and Federal Law Enforcement announced today that they foiled a dangerous plot against the Governor of Michigan. Rather than say thank you, she calls me a White Supremacist.' Trump's recent assertion that he'll consider pardoning the men who plotted the kidnap come after his new pardon attorney, Ed Martin Jr., stated on The Breanna Morello Show podcast that he wants to take a 'hard look' at the Whitmer case, particularly the two ringleaders—Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr.—who are serving longer sentences. 'On the pardon front, we can't leave these guys behind,' Martin Jr. said. : Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is often considered to be a potential 2028 candidate for the Democratic Party Many consider Whitmer as a potential 2028 contender to run for President. Michigan is often regarded as a key swing state in the presidential race—with close margins in the past election and 15 electoral votes up for grabs. The second-term Governor also has a strong approval rating—63% according to the results of an Impact Research poll published in May. Whitmer has been a key Democrat who has spoken about working with Trump, rather than against him, leading some to see her as a diplomatic choice for the 2028 election, amid ongoing efforts to bridge political divides. Whitmer has yet to confirm that she plans to run for President—in fact, she denied she has any intention of running in 2028 when asked during a July 2024 interview with the Detroit Free Press. "I have no plans. I have no plans to run for President, not this year, not in the foreseeable future. I'm not making any plans on that front," she said.
Time Magazine
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
What To Know About Israel's Major Expansion of Settlements in Occupied West Bank
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced that "22 new settlements" will be established in the West Bank. Some already exist as outputs, but will be made legal under Israeli law, whilst others will be entirely new settlements. The politician called it a 'historic decision,' adding: 'We have succeeded in creating a profound strategic change, returning the State of Israel to a path of construction, Zionism, and vision. Settlement in the land of our ancestors is the protective wall of the State of Israel.' Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the move 'anchors our historical right in the Land of Israel, and constitutes a crushing response to Palestinian terrorism,' adding that it is 'a strategic move that prevents the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel.' It is believed that two of the settlements will be Homesh and Sa-Nur, villages in the West Bank that were evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel's disengagement plan from Gaza, in which all Israeli settlers withdrew from the Strip. Thursday's announcement has gained criticism from international lawmakers. British politician Hamish Falconer, the Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said that 'the U.K. condemns these actions.' In a post on X, Falconer said that the approval of these settlements "is a deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood" and that "settlements are illegal under international law, further imperil the two state solution, and do not protect Israel." The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, originally posted in Arabic, on X: 'This is a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and a clear violation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent, sovereign state.' Israeli activist group Peace Now has also heavily condemned the expansion. In a statement published on May 29, the organization said: "The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise, the annexation of the occupied territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal.' Peace Now maintains that this is the biggest expansion of settlements in the West Bank since the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993. These accords were seen as hope of a potential route towards peace and a two-state solution, which has since diminished. According to Peace Now, nine of the settlements will be completely new, one is an already established community, and 12 are outposts and farms that will now be recognized as official settlements. What is the legality of Israel expanding its West Bank settlements? Israeli settlements in the West Bank are widely considered to be in violation of international law. The West Bank is defined by the United Nations as under Israeli military occupation, after it took control of the territory, as well as Gaza and East Jerusalem, in 1967 after the Six-Day War. According to Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, 'the occupying power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.' However, Israel considers itself to be the administrative power, not an occupier. It administers the territory as Israel's 'Judea and Samaria Area.' Therefore, any Israeli settlements in the West Bank are not deemed illegal under Israeli law. The growth of the West Bank settlements As of December 2024, there were 529,455 Jewish settlers living in the West Bank, spread across 141 settlements. The West Bank is also home to roughly three million Palestinians who live in pockets administered by the Palestinian Authority. Under Israeli rule, Palestinian residents must pass through the Israeli checkpoints they have access to, in order to move throughout the West Bank. Israeli settler movement to the West Bank and the expansion of communities has accelerated since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. A U.N. Human Rights Office report found that between November 2023 and October 2024, construction plans were put in place for over 10,300 new housing units within existing Israeli settlements. The report stated: 'Dozens of unauthorised roads have been paved by settlers and the army around settlements and outposts, helping to connect them while blocking Palestinians' movement and enabling further seizure of their land.' This rise in the settler population in the West Bank has been coupled with an increase in violence towards Palestinians. Between Jan. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, at least 616 Palestinians, including 115 children, had been killed by settlers or the Israeli military according to the U.N. Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA). In the same period, OCHA recorded 1,936 incidents of violence towards Palestinians, with 41,272 being displaced in the West Bank. These trends have been on the rise since 2020.
Time Magazine
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
Judge Blocks Trump Effort to Bar Harvard's International Students as Protests Mark Commencement
A federal judge on Thursday extended a court order blocking the Trump Administration's attempt to bar Harvard from enrolling international students as the effort elicited protests at the university's commencement ceremony. Many students and faculty members demonstrated their support for Harvard's international students—who make up roughly 16% of its 2025 class —by wearing white flowers or stickers reading 'Without our international students, Harvard is not Harvard' over their regalia at the Thursday ceremony. Speakers across the commencement events added their voices to that support, and praised Harvard's president Alan Garber for refusing to accede to demands from the Administration. 'When a tyrannical administration tried to bully and threaten Harvard, to revoke their academic freedom and to destroy free speech, Dr. Alan Garber rejected the illegal and immoral pressures,' basketball player and social justice advocate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said while speaking to graduates on Wednesday. 'After seeing so many cowering billionaires, media moguls, law firms, politicians and other universities bend their knee to an administration that is systematically strip-mining the U.S. Constitution, it is inspiring to me to see Harvard University take a stand for freedom." The support comes amid a tense battle between Harvard and President Donald Trump that has seen the Administration move to strip the university of federal funding and revoke its ability to enroll international students after it rejected demands related in large part to its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. Harvard has mounted multiple legal challenges against the actions, and Garber has indicated the university has no plans to back down. The university president was welcomed with resounding applause and a standing ovation when he took the stage to speak at the Thursday commencement ceremony. 'Members of the class of 2025 from down the street, across the country, and around the world, around the world, just as it should be,' Garber said in an allusion to the ongoing battle, though he stopped short of directly mentioning Trump. Harvard Kennedy School graduate Yurong Jiang, an international student, praised the diversity at the university, saying it made 'global challenges' feel 'personal.' Other student speakers, including Thor Reimann, pointed to the leadership Harvard has shown throughout history. 'Our University is certainly imperfect, but I am proud to stand today alongside our graduating class, our faculty, and our president, with the shared conviction that this ongoing project of veritas is one worth defending,' he said. In the keynote commencement address, physician and bestselling author Abraham Vergese made reference to Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan as he voiced his own support for Harvard's international students and America's immigrants more broadly. 'When legal immigrants and others who are lawfully in this country, including so many of your international students, worry about being wrongly detained and even deported, perhaps it's fitting that you hear from an immigrant like me,' Verghese said. 'The greatness of America, the greatness of Harvard, is reflected in the fact that someone like me could be invited to speak to you.'
