A casino is a large gambling facility that offers table games and slot machines. Some casinos also offer a variety of other games such as video poker, roulette, blackjack, and craps. Many casinos have security guards and surveillance cameras to prevent cheating and theft. Some have a high limit room where gamblers can bet more money than regular patrons.

Casinos may look like glittering, gleaming palaces of fun and glitz, but underneath all the flashing lights and free drinks is a bedrock of mathematics engineered to slowly bleed patrons’ money. This is why mathematically inclined minds have long tried to turn the tables, employing their knowledge of probability and game theory to exploit weaknesses in a system that should be completely fair.

Something about casino gambling encourages people to try to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot, which is why casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. Casino employees constantly watch over patrons and can quickly spot blatant cheating, such as palming or marking cards, and are trained to catch other types of irregular betting patterns that could indicate someone is trying to manipulate the results.

The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden in Germany’s black forest first became a playground for European royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago, and its casino still attracts the rich and famous. It is one of the most luxurious and well-appointed establishments on this list, featuring over 45 table games and 130 slots.