The world’s top casinos offer more than just gambling. With high-end restaurants, luxury shopping, spas and entertainment, they provide a holistic experience for guests. The Kurhaus of Baden-Baden and Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in particular incorporate historic charm into their design and ambiance, making them stand out amongst competitors.

While the precise origin of gambling is uncertain, it is generally believed to be one of humanity’s oldest leisure activities. Many ancient societies engaged in gaming, including the Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. The modern casino evolved from earlier, more modest establishments, including private gambling clubs, which operated in Europe in the late 19th century. During the latter half of that century, casino gambling expanded rapidly around the globe.

Most casino games have mathematically determined odds, with the house always having an advantage over players. In games with an element of skill, such as blackjack, the house advantage can be minimized by following a basic strategy. In games of chance, such as poker, the house earns money through a commission known as the rake.

Some casinos use sophisticated surveillance technology, with some even having catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down through one-way glass on gamblers at table and slot machines. Casinos may also have a variety of other security measures, including doorman checking, a system in which betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that allows them to be tracked minute by minute; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover statistical deviations from their expected values.