A casino is a gambling establishment that offers the possibility to win money by playing games of chance. It is also a facility for entertainment and social interaction, and is located in places with high population density like large cities or tourist destinations. The games played in casinos often have mathematically determined odds that ensure that the house has a predictable long-term advantage, but may allow for short-term gains for players who possess sufficient skill to overcome the inherent disadvantage.
The largest casinos in the world are often located in cities that are famous for tourism or are built on sites of historical interest, such as old palaces and castles. Many of these have been renovated to include modern facilities and attract visitors from all over the world. The casino industry has grown rapidly and is expanding to new markets in the world.
Macau, the eastern incarnation of Las Vegas, is home to six of the world’s biggest casinos including the Venetian, which has an astounding 530, 000 square foot gaming area and costs $2.4 billion to build. It is the sixth largest structure in the world by floor space.
The largest casino in the US is Foxwoods in Ledyard, Connecticut, which has 4.7 million square feet of gaming space. Its six casinos feature a wide range of table games, slot machines and other popular forms of gambling, as well as live entertainment, dining and shopping. The casino is operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Indian tribe.