A casino is an establishment for gambling. Some casinos are built as part of hotels, resorts, or cruise ships; others stand alone. They offer a variety of gambling activities, such as keno, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker, and more. Some casinos also feature shows and other entertainment. Casinos are usually protected by law enforcement and security personnel to deter theft and other crimes. Some casinos are open 24 hours a day.
Casinos have a strong focus on customer service and provide many perks designed to encourage patrons to gamble. These perks are sometimes referred to as comps. In the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos offered discounted travel packages and free hotel rooms to attract gamblers. Other perks included free buffets and show tickets. These measures succeeded in filling casino floors and driving revenue, but they did not stop the rise of illegal gambling.
Casinos are often designed to stimulate the senses, with bright and colorful floor and wall coverings, and a constant stream of noise and music. They may have special lighting to highlight certain games or areas of the casino, and use the color red because it is believed to make people lose track of time. They do not post any clocks on their walls because that would be a fire hazard, but most have jukeboxes that play rhythmic, upbeat music. The cling clang of coins dropping when they are paid out is another common sound in casinos. They also employ computerized machines that are programmed to appeal to the senses of sight and hearing, and are tuned to a musical key to create a pleasing sound.