Gambling has been a part of human civilization for millennia. Wooden blocks used in games of chance appeared in 2300 BC, dice showed up in 500 AD and playing cards exploded into the scene in the 1400s. These games, all of which are found in casinos, provide the billions in profits that casino owners rake in each year.
A casino is a complex and unique business. It has the same major concerns as a hotel, including food and entertainment, but it also has gambling to manage. That means the facility must be able to attract people to play its games of chance and keep them there. It also needs to make sure that the games are fair and that it is possible for patrons to win money. It is for these reasons that a casino spends a large amount of time, effort and money on security.
This includes a lot of employees on the floor, watching games and patrons to make sure that they are following protocol and not cheating in any way. Dealers have a very focused view of their tables and can easily spot blatant tricks like palming, marking or switching chips or cards. Pit bosses and table managers have a more broader view of the tables and look for betting patterns that indicate potential fraud.
Casinos also have to entice big bettors with free spectacular entertainment, reduced-fare transportation and elegant living quarters. This is called comping and it helps them keep the good bettors coming back, even if they are losing. This and many other issues make casinos a very interesting business to learn about, especially when they are built in exotic locations like the ones on this list.
