A casino is a gambling hall where people play games of chance for money or other prizes. Casinos are usually located in cities with high concentrations of tourists or on Indian reservations, where state laws are less restrictive. People who gamble at casinos are called “gamblers.” A casino offers a variety of games such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. It also offers a wide range of slot machines, which often pay out in small denominations. The casino makes its money by charging a commission on the bets of some players, known as comps or rakes.
Many casino employees keep a close eye on each game, looking for blatant palming or marking of cards or dice. Higher-ups have an even broader view of the gaming floor, watching tables and changing windows to see what is happening across the whole casino. More sophisticated technology helps to monitor the games themselves, as well. For instance, chip tracking enables the house to know the exact amounts bet minute by minute, and electronic systems on roulette wheels help to discover any statistical deviation from expected results.
The Bellagio in Las Vegas has the fame of being one of the world’s most beautiful casinos, but it is not alone. There are others, from the opulent fountain show of Macau in east Asia to the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden in Germany’s Black Forest region. Gambling has become a major industry around the world, and casino buildings have taken on a dazzling array of shapes and sizes. Many are decorated with towers, pyramids, or replicas of famous landmarks.