A casino is a gambling establishment where customers place bets on various games of chance, and sometimes skill. The house edge varies by game, but in general, it’s uniformly negative. As such, it’s in your best financial interests to never step foot in a casino and try your luck.

The house edge is why casinos are designed as mazes. They have tight, tightly-packed arrangements of games, and they purposefully obscure exits so that gamblers are encouraged to stay and keep playing. They also use a wide variety of visual media to create a manufactured sense of bliss. This includes dazzling lights and the joyous sounds of slot machines to encourage people to gamble and keep coming back. Today’s casinos even waft a pleasant odor through their ventilation systems.

The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden first became a playground for Europe’s royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago, but now it’s a magnet for gamblers from around the world. The luxurious casino is extravagantly outfitted with a slew of tables and red-and-gold poker rooms. It also has a baroque-inspired swimming pool and an art gallery. The casino is also home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, ranging from haute cuisine to burgers and fries.