A casino (plural: casinos) is an establishment for gambling. Casinos are usually located near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. They often feature games such as baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and poker. In some countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by the government. The Bellagio, a casino in Las Vegas, is famous for its dancing fountains and was featured in the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven.
Most casinos are designed to provide a positive mathematical expectancy for the house, or casino, while offering players the opportunity to make a short-term profit. In order to maximize their profits, casinos monitor their games and employ mathematicians specializing in game theory. These experts use computer programs to calculate the house edge and variance for each individual game, as well as the overall casino profitability. They also design and analyze new games, and may consult with experts in game theory.
The largest casino in the world is the Venetian Macau in Macau, east Asia’s version of Las Vegas. The massive resort is designed to resemble Venice, with canals and gondolas, and includes a huge gaming floor, 350 shops, a live arena, and Michelin-starred restaurants. It is the seventh-largest building in the world by floor area. The MGM Grand, another renowned casino on the Las Vegas Strip, is best known for its poker rooms and features a state-of-the-art sports betting area with 60 large plasma TVs. This area of the casino is popular with high rollers and casual gamblers alike.