A casino is a gambling establishment offering various table games and a variety of slot machines. Some casinos also offer poker, keno and other card games. Casinos are popular with tourists and locals alike, attracting both hardened gamblers and curious onlookers.
Gambling in some form or another has been a part of human culture for millennia. Archeological evidence of dice-based gaming dates to 2300 BC, while playing cards became prevalent around 800 AD. Modern casinos have a broad array of gambling options, from the ubiquitous roulette and craps to more obscure offerings such as trente et quarante and baccarat. Most casino games provide a predictable long-term advantage for the house, known as the house edge, although some have a skill element that can reduce this advantage. Players who possess the necessary skills to eliminate this disadvantage are referred to as advantage players.
Despite their glamorous images, casinos are often seedy and dangerous places. The large amount of money handled within a casino makes both patrons and staff susceptible to theft and cheating, either in collusion or independently. To combat this, casinos employ a variety of security measures. Many use video cameras to monitor activity, while others incorporate advanced technology such as chip tracking, in which betting chips are wired to electronic systems that can record and warn of any statistical deviations.
The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, was a playground for European royalty 150 years ago, and its casino is one of the most lavishly outfitted on our list. Its red-and-gold rooms and plethora of blackjack and roulette tables attract visitors who crave that thrilling feel they’ve only experienced vicariously in casino-themed movies.