Venice, Monaco, Singapore — pair these exotic destinations with casinos and you have an experience that can’t be duplicated anywhere else. While musical shows, lighted fountains and elaborate hotels are designed to lure guests, casinos would not exist without the games of chance that provide billions in profits each year. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and other gambling tables are what make casinos the ultimate in adult amusement parks.

Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia, with archeological evidence dating back to 2300 BC China and playing cards appearing in the 1400s. Despite the seedy image of backroom gambling parlors, modern casinos are well-regulated and offer a safe environment in which to eat, watch closed-circuit television and play a variety of table and slot games.

Casinos are profitable because each game has a built-in advantage for the house, which can be low (less than two percent) but adds up over time with millions of bets from players. The house edge is known as the “vig” or rake, and it’s what earns casinos the millions in profits they generate each year.

Because casinos handle large amounts of money, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. To prevent this, casinos employ a variety of security measures. Elaborate surveillance systems give the staff a high-tech eye-in-the-sky, and video cameras monitor each table, change window and doorway. A room filled with banks of security monitors can adjust the camera focus to pinpoint suspicious patrons for closer inspection.