A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons play games of chance. While lavish hotels, lighted fountains and stage shows draw attention, the bulk of the profits from casinos (and their billions in profit) are generated by games of chance such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, keno and baccarat. Casinos may also have restaurants, bars and retail shops.
As a business, casinos must be concerned with profitability and turnover of customers. To that end, they employ gaming mathematicians and computer programmers to analyze the probabilities of various games. These mathematical experts help to determine the house edge and variance of each game, allowing the casino to optimize their odds and payouts. The mathematicians also develop software programs for casinos that calculate optimal strategy for games such as poker and blackjack. This helps players maximize their chances of winning, while minimizing the casino’s edge.
In addition to calculating the house edges and variances of their games, casinos must be aware of player habits. For example, a casino’s management must know the average bet size of their patrons and the proportion of money won to lost by each type of gambler. This information is critical to determining the best way to advertise and promote their games.
The history of the modern casino traces its roots back to Italy, where the word is believed to have originated. During the 19th century, as more states legalized gambling, the idea of a large gambling venue began to take hold in America. Nevada was the first state to realize the potential of this industry and began offering licenses to owners. Other operators realized that they could capitalize on the “destination” tourists that flock to Las Vegas, and the casino industry took off.
As casinos grew in popularity, organized crime figures became more involved in the businesses, taking on sole or partial ownership of some. They also lent their considerable financial might to the development of casino operations, funding expansion and renovation, as well as paying off debts. In addition, the mobsters were known for their drug dealing and extortion rackets that brought in enormous amounts of cash to Reno and Las Vegas.
Today, the world’s most renowned casinos offer unmatched luxury and entertainment. Whether they are located in exotic destinations such as Venice, Monaco or Singapore or in the heart of cities like New York and Macao, they promise to be memorable experiences for all who visit. But just what is it about these institutions that makes them so special? We looked at 10 of the world’s most famous casinos and the amenities that help them make an indelible mark on the public.