From the glitz of Las Vegas to the refined elegance of Monaco, the world’s best casinos offer something for every taste. Whether it’s slot machines, table games or live entertainment, the best casinos also feature top-notch hotels, spas and restaurants.
Casinos depend on gamblers to keep them in business, so they have to do everything possible to encourage them to spend money. They give away free hotel rooms, buffet meals and tickets to shows to the biggest spenders, called comps. They monitor the gambling habits of players to catch any unusual behavior that might indicate cheating or collusion. They even set up surveillance cameras to watch over the tables and slots, often with an eye-in-the-sky system that lets security personnel check on patrons from a remote room.
In addition to these high-tech methods, casinos have a number of low-tech techniques to lure gamblers: croupiers stand by the roulette wheels and blackjack tables to chat with players; pit bosses walk around with microphones, encouraging players to make bets; and table managers keep an eye out for suspicious betting patterns. Casinos also use sophisticated computer systems to supervise the games themselves. Using “chip tracking,” casinos can know exactly how much is being wagered minute by minute, and electronic monitoring systems reveal any statistical deviation from expected results.
Despite the glamour and excitement, there’s one thing all casino players should keep in mind: no matter how good they play, they will eventually lose money. That’s because the house has built-in advantages that ensure its profitability.