Whether it’s for the thrill of the gamble or the opulence of the environment, casinos are the ultimate destination for anyone who wants to test their mettle. And while Las Vegas may have the reputation for the world’s biggest and best, there are plenty of other options to choose from.
The word casino was derived from the Italian “casino,” meaning small house, and it is believed that gambling in some form has been found throughout history. The first known casino was in Monte-Carlo, which opened in 1863 and is a source of income for the Principality of Monaco. Other famous casinos are located in Venice (Casino di Venezia), Paris, and London.
In general, casinos offer a variety of games, including slot machines and table games such as blackjack, roulette, and craps. In the United States, casinos are most prominent in Nevada and New Jersey, although legalized gaming also occurs in some Native American tribal lands.
A casino’s profitability is based on the percentage of money bet that results in a win. This advantage, known as the house edge, varies by game. Some games, such as sic bo and keno, have the highest house edges; others, such as video poker and blackjack, have the lowest. Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently; for this reason, casinos have extensive security measures. These include cameras placed throughout the facility, and some even have security personnel on hand during games to observe players and guard the tables.