A casino is a building where games of chance are played and where gambling is the primary activity. Although some casinos offer lavish extras like restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to attract customers, a casino is essentially a place where people can play games of chance for money or other prizes.
According to the American Gaming Association, about 51 million people visited casinos in the United States in 2002. Worldwide, the number is even higher.
Many casinos began in small towns and grew to become tourist destinations with their own special amenities. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, for example, began as a playground for European royalty and the aristocracy 150 years ago and still draws visitors in search of luxury experiences. Others cater to the glitz and glamour of high rollers with luxurious settings such as Monte Carlo and Macau.
The best casinos feature a wide variety of table and slot games, as well as top-notch hotels, spas and restaurants. However, a true gambler isn’t satisfied with just the glitz and glitter—he or she wants to win big! To do so, he or she needs a comprehensive understanding of the game rules and strategies.
Casino security measures start on the casino floor, where employees keep their eyes on patrons to spot any suspicious behavior. In addition, casino staff monitors a room filled with banks of security cameras to detect cheating or any other problems. These cameras are able to zoom in on specific patrons, so security can see who is betting on what.