The word casino is a colloquial name for an establishment for gambling. Often, casinos combine their gambling operations with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, convention centers and other tourist attractions. Many of these casinos are operated by large corporations that specialize in the management of these entertainment venues. Some casinos are also owned by private individuals and operate as independent gambling establishments.

A casino can be a fun and rewarding experience, but you should always gamble responsibly. If you’re prone to losing control, try setting spending limits and self-exclusion tools to help you manage your gambling habits.

It’s happened to all of us: you stride into the glitzy, twinkly casino with confidence and your wallet full of cash, planning for a bit of enjoyable, sensible gaming and two rounds of cocktails. But hours later you look at your watch and wonder where all the money went. You were sucked in by a whirlwind of flashing lights, sounds and physical design tricks that casinos employ to trick you into throwing your hard-earned money away.

For years, mathematically inclined people have tried to turn the tables on casinos by using their understanding of probability and game theory to exploit weaknesses in a system that’s designed to slowly bleed its patrons of cash. But the odds are against you — the house always wins. Casinos are engineered to keep you gambling by making it difficult to satisfy basic human needs like getting a drink of water or finding the bathroom.