A casino is a public place where a variety of games of chance can be played. It is a major source of revenue for many countries, especially those with legalized gambling. Most casinos are luxurious and have a wide range of table and slot machines, but there are also smaller and less lavish venues that still qualify as a casino.
Most people gamble for fun, but some do it to get rich. The glamorous spa town of Baden-Baden first became a playground for European royalty and the aristocracy more than 150 years ago, and its casino remains one of the most extravagant in the world. It is designed around the elegance of the Palace of Versailles, and it is a favorite destination for celebrities, including Marlene Dietrich, who once declared it the most beautiful in the world.
The modern casino industry is highly regulated. For example, a casino in Nevada is required to have at least two dealers on its gaming floor at all times. This is to ensure that there are enough people available to deal the cards and handle the money. Casinos also use technology to monitor the games. For instance, some poker tables have chips with built-in microcircuitry that interacts with electronic systems to allow the casino to supervise the amount of money being wagered minute by minute and discover any abnormalities; and roulette wheels are monitored electronically to reveal any deviation from their expected results.