A casino is a building or room in which gambling takes place. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and/or cruise ships. Some casinos specialize in specific types of games, such as poker, baccarat, and roulette; others offer a variety of gaming experiences, including slot machines, table games, and more. Casinos are also known for their live entertainment offerings, such as concerts and stand-up comedy.
Casinos are typically designed with surveillance cameras that allow security personnel to view patrons through one-way glass. In addition, many casinos use video-monitoring technology that enables them to oversee betting chips with microcircuitry and the exact amounts wagered minute by minute; electronic roulette wheels are monitored regularly for statistical deviations. Casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers to analyze game rules, house edges, and variance; these experts are known as gaming analysts.
While most people associate casinos with Las Vegas, they can be found all over the world. From Asia to Monaco and even in a former Portuguese colony, casinos are an integral part of their communities’ culture and economy. In addition to offering opulent accommodations and spas, these temples of temptation feature breath-taking decor and thrilling games of chance. From the blazing tables of Sin City to the glitzy slot machines of Monte Carlo, check out this list of the most luxurious casinos in the world.