The Casino – A Mathematically Intense Place For Gambling Enthusiasts

For most people, the word casino conjures up images of Las Vegas and Atlantic City in the United States, but they can also be found in exotic locations like Venice, Monaco and Singapore. The modern casino may seem like an indoor amusement park for adults, with musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers lining the floor, but it would not exist without the games of chance that bring in billions of dollars in profits every year. Slot machines, poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno are just some of the games that make up the bulk of a casino’s revenues.

The modern casino is a massive operation with hundreds of games and thousands of employees, each of whom must be trained to keep the gamblers safe and happy. The best casinos are run with a tight grip on security and a deep understanding of the psychology behind gambling. They are a major tourist attraction and generate significant tax revenue for their home communities.

But beneath the flashing lights, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics, engineered to slowly bleed patrons of their cash. For years mathematically inclined minds have tried to turn the tables, using their knowledge of probability and game theory to find a way to beat the house.

The elegance of the spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, first attracted royalty and aristocracy from across Europe 150 years ago, and that same air of decadence still permeates the casino’s red-and-gold poker rooms and plethora of blackjack tables. Today, visitors are more likely to be tourists from all over the world who visit for the thrill of gambling in one of the most lavishly outfitted casinos on the planet.