A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Most casinos are integrated into large resorts or hotel complexes, and some even host top-billed entertainment shows such as high-flying circus acts and music concerts topping the Billboard charts. In addition, casinos feature a variety of table games and slot machines, as well as food and beverage outlets. Some casinos also offer horse racing, which is considered a form of gambling in some jurisdictions.
Some casinos employ a number of security measures to prevent cheating and theft, especially as so much money is handled within their walls. These may include video cameras, specially designed tables with built-in microcircuitry for wagering chips, and electronic systems that monitor the results of roulette wheels to quickly discover any statistical deviations.
Many of the world’s most opulent casinos have been designed by architects to reflect their owners’ tastes and lifestyles. For instance, the stunning Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco is housed inside a 19th-century palace that once served as a royal residence and has since become a symbol of the principality’s wealth.
The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden in Germany’s Black Forest region first opened its doors to European royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago, and today it draws more diverse crowds around its red-and-gold poker rooms and blackjack and roulette tables. Guests at the hotel-casino can also enjoy a luxurious day at the spa, and if they prefer to place a bet, the property offers off-track horse betting.
