In these decadent temples of temptation, decked out in opulent furnishings and overflowing bars, gambling is elevated to an art form. Here are ten of the most beautiful casinos in the world, where high stakes and big wins are as common as black and red.
Casinos use a combination of scent, sound, and light to manipulate customers and keep them coming back for more. For example, some casinos waft the smell of fresh baked bread through their ventilation systems to entice customers to stay longer. They also use the happy chirps of slot machines and the joyful sounds of winning to create a manufactured feeling of euphoria. These artificial stimuli work together to trigger a pleasure response in the brain, which is why many people find them irresistible.
Some casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers to analyze game outcomes to make sure that they are profitable. These experts are called gaming mathematicians and analysts, and they calculate the house edge of every casino game, as well as its variance (the amount of money a player can expect to win or lose in any given session). They also track the results of specific games to quickly discover any statistical deviation from expected behavior.
While it may seem that casinos are all about promoting the idea of luck, they are actually a serious business. Even if you’re a lucky gambler, there is no such thing as a free ride. The house always wins in the long run, so be smart about your bankroll and avoid gambling until you can afford to lose.
