A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons place bets on games of chance for the opportunity to win money. These games of chance are played with coins, paper tickets or digital chips. Some casinos also offer live entertainment and dining. Whether they’re smoky, elegant or gaudy, these cathedrals of consumption are designed to make you spend more and crave coming back. But what makes them so addictive, even though the house always wins? Discover how casinos use psychology to trick you into spending more than you can afford — and why they’re so hard to resist.
From Las Vegas to Shanghai, Monaco to Singapore, the world’s most exclusive casinos pair high stakes with haute luxury. These high-roller playgrounds provide opulent suites, spas and fine dining along with roulette wheels and blackjack tables.
Although many of these casinos are owned by governments, they operate independently from their respective governing bodies. Their profits are derived from gambling and entertainment, with the latter providing the greatest portion of revenue. Because of the enormous sums of money involved, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. Consequently, modern casinos employ a number of security measures to deter crime. These include a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department.
Casinos are a popular pastime for the general public, but they’re also a big source of revenue for governments. While some countries prohibit or restrict the number of casinos they have, others endorse them and tax them accordingly.