The world’s best casinos offer much more than slot machines and blackjack tables. Many of these destinations also feature hotels, restaurants, bars, and spas – all the ingredients for a fun and relaxing getaway. From the glamorous Bellagio in Las Vegas to the historic Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco and the elegant Baden-Baden in Germany, there is something for everyone.
In the United States, the gambling industry has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade. In 2002 alone, about 51 million people – or about one quarter of the country’s population over 21 – visited a casino.
Whether they visit the glitzy hotels on the Las Vegas Strip or illegal pai gow parlors in New York’s Chinatown, these gamblers put a lot of money on the line each year. But some experts say the growing number of casinos is a major cause of concern because it contributes to gambling addiction and has hurt home values in nearby neighborhoods.
While casinos can’t control the actions of the millions of visitors who walk through their doors each year, they can help them to gamble responsibly. In many cases, this is accomplished through a combination of education, counseling, and a variety of other preventive measures.
Another important part of a casino’s role is to ensure that its patrons are treated fairly. As a result, casinos spend a considerable amount of time and effort training their staff to recognize and deal with cheating and theft. In addition, the routines of a casino’s games and the expected reactions of players follow certain patterns; thus, it is relatively easy for security personnel to spot suspicious activity.