The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for grown-ups. The games of chance are the heart of the casino, providing billions of dollars in profits to U.S. casinos each year. Games like roulette, blackjack, and slot machines are also popular, but they have a dark side. Baccarat is one of the darkest corners of the casino. It is a game of chance where the house has a mathematically determined advantage.
Gamblers have two sides to the gambling game: the house and the banker. However, the 21st century casino is almost uniform. Europe, for example, changed its gambling laws in the late 20th century to allow for casinos. The United Kingdom, where casinos were illegal until recently, operates licensed gambling clubs. Most of the world’s casinos are located in major cities, such as Paris and London. While the Havana casino closed in 1959, the United States has over 3,000 legal casinos.
In terms of security, casinos are equipped with elaborate surveillance systems to monitor casino patrons and games. Video cameras and computers are routinely used to monitor casino activity. Besides this, casinos have installed “chip tracking” devices, which allow them to monitor the wagers minute-by-minute. Roulette wheels are regularly watched for statistical deviations. There are even enclosed versions of games, which do not require a dealer and allow players to bet by pushing buttons.
