Whether you’re a high roller or just looking to try your hand at the roulette wheel, casinos are where luxury meets chance. These decadent temples of temptation decked out with opulent furnishings and overflowing bars elevate gambling to an art form. Here are ten of the world’s most extravagant places to throw down your chips and see what fate and fortune returns to your palm.
In the United States, casinos are a major source of entertainment and tourism, drawing millions of people each year to gamble and enjoy other attractions. While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and elaborate hotels help attract guests, the vast majority of casino profits come from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat generate billions of dollars in revenue each year for casinos.
Casinos make money by charging customers to play games of chance and take a percentage of winning bets. This is called the house edge and it can be quite small, but it adds up over time. In addition, many casinos give out free goods and services to players, known as comps. This can include hotel rooms, meals and tickets to shows. Casinos also earn money by taking a cut of the action at table games like poker, where players are competing against each other, by charging a commission, known as the rake.
Modern casinos are heavily regulated, both to protect their patrons and to ensure that they are following state gambling laws. Security is usually split between a physical force and a specialized surveillance department, which operates the casino’s closed circuit television system. Security personnel patrol the floor, checking out tables and observing players for suspicious betting patterns or evidence of cheating. Each table game has a pit boss or manager who watches over the players and can call in higher-ups to investigate any possible criminal activity.
A casino’s reputation as a place of fun and glamour attracts visitors from all over the world. But it is important to remember that casino’s are businesses, not charitable organizations, and they must earn a profit to stay in business. In order to do this, they must attract customers and keep them coming back. That is why they offer so many luxuries to their guests.
The Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco has long been the most famous casino in the world, but there are many other excellent choices for those who want to gamble away their money in style. Empire City in Yonkers, New York, offers over 5,300 slot machines and electronic games, plus dozens of poker and blackjack tables. Its architecture is inspired by classic Italian and Mediterranean styles, and it has several restaurants and bars to keep you well fed and hydrated. Another upscale option is Macau, an autonomous region of China near Hong Kong. It is seven times larger than Las Vegas, and it is steeped in culture and history. This makes it a popular destination for visitors who want to gamble in style and experience other aspects of the country’s rich culture.