A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. These facilities are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and/or cruise ships. Some casinos are known for hosting live entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports. In military and non-military usage, a casino is an officers’ mess.
There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of placing a bet on black at the roulette wheel or flipping the coin in a game of poker. When surrounded by the glittering cityscape of a world-class casino, this feeling can be multiplied. From the mega-hotel/casinos on the Vegas Strip to the illegal pai gow tables in New York’s Chinatown, there is no shortage of options for players willing to risk it all.
In order to prevent cheating and stealing by patrons and staff, most casinos have a number of security measures. These may include a physical security force and/or a specialized surveillance department. Casinos also use closed-circuit television to monitor their property.
The MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip is a storied gambling den that attracts both hardened dollar spinners and curious newbies. It features the usual range of table games and slot machines but what really draws in visitors is its state-of-the-art sports betting facility with 60 large plasma TVs. Here, gamblers can place bets on American football, boxing, martial arts and soccer – with the added benefit of drinks and snacks from the bar! See ‘Meaning & Usage’ for definitions and quotation evidence.