"The key to winning against the casino? Understanding the math. Most people can’t do this, though,” says Chuck Hunsucker, shift manager at The Cannery, a local casino. “Bottom line, Vegas always wins.”

Lanita Reed, a dealer at the MGM Grand for the past 11 years, sees it a bit differently. “Ultimately, I believe it’s luck,” she says. “If you have $100, I’d bet it all in one place. That’s giving Vegas less of a chance to win. If you bet $1 in a different place every time, you’re giving Vegas the chance to win.” Her final words, however: “I don’t gamble.”

For those who do play, the options are endless. You can start the minute you get off the airplane at the slot machines that fill the airport. You can hear opportunity calling you from almost everywhere. Roulette tables, craps, poker--the lure of a big win is a powerful draw.