A casino is a building or room where people can play gambling games. The term may also refer to an establishment that accommodates such games, or to the business that runs it. The modern casino is often associated with luxury, wealth, and entertainment. In some jurisdictions, casinos are regulated and licensed by government agencies. Some are located on or near military bases, cruise ships or other tourist attractions. Other casinos are stand-alone.

Casinos are not charities throwing free money around, and despite the glitzy facade they are designed to bleed patrons of their hard-earned cash. This is why savvy gamblers always make sure to check out the house edge for the games they are playing, as well as the variance of those games. Oftentimes, these figures are calculated by mathematically inclined minds known as gaming mathematicians and gaming analysts.

Gambling has been a part of human civilization for millennia. Evidence of dice-based games dates back to 2300 BC China, and table games like baccarat and blackjack appeared in the early 1600s.

The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden first became a playground for European royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago, and it still draws royalty and the wealthy to its red-and-gold poker rooms and plethora of tables. It is not uncommon for the occasional huckster to be seen around, and the town’s infamous casino is a prime spot for the hustle.