The opulent casinos that dot the world’s top travel destinations combine high stakes with high style. From Las Vegas to China, these casinos offer opulent suites and spas alongside the roulette wheel and blackjack table.
When most people think of a casino, they envision one of the megaresorts on the Las Vegas Strip or in Atlantic City. But a casino is actually any establishment that offers gambling opportunities, according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. These institutions can be large, small or in between and may include a hotel, restaurant, nightclub, retail shops, etc.
Casinos earn billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors, and Native American tribes that operate them, as well as state and local governments that reap casino taxes and fees. To lure patrons, they spend millions on stimulating atmospheres and a variety of perks that can encourage gambling addictions.
Besides the usual casino card and dice games, such as blackjack and poker, most American casinos also feature electronic games, such as roulette and slot machines, as well as table games conducted by croupiers or dealers, like baccarat, chemin de fer, and trente et quarante. Some casinos also offer traditional Far Eastern games, such as sic bo, fan-tan, and pai-gow.
Because of the enormous amounts of money handled, casinos are targets for fraud and theft by both staff members and patrons. As a result, they employ numerous security measures to prevent these activities. They also hire mathematicians to compute the house edge and variance of their various games, which helps them make informed decisions about betting limits and other financial matters.