A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is an establishment where various games of chance are played. Gambling is the main activity conducted in a casino, but it is also possible to find other entertainment activities like stage shows and buffets. Casinos have been around for over a century and are found all over the world. They are usually lavishly outfitted with a host of amenities and features to draw in patrons.
The most famous casino in the world is probably the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, which first became a playground for European royalty and aristocrats over 150 years ago. The casino at Baden-Baden is a lavishly decorated building with baroque flourishes that remind one of the Palace of Versailles. It is still popular with the elite, and actress Marlene Dietrich once called it “the most beautiful casino in the world.”
In casinos that feature table games like blackjack and craps, dealers and pit bosses keep an eye on the patrons to see if they are cheating or stealing from each other or the house. Security cameras are also located throughout the casino to monitor activities and catch any suspicious behavior.
Players who frequently visit a particular casino and spend significant amounts of money may be given comps by the casino, which are free goods or services such as hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows or even airline tickets. These are based on the amount of time and money spent playing and the level of play at which the player is participating.