A casino, or gambling establishment, is a place where patrons can gamble on games of chance. Large casinos offer a variety of games, including blackjack, roulette, poker, and slot machines. Some casinos also include restaurants, hotels, non-gambling entertainment venues, and swimming pools.
A typical casino has a high-level security system to prevent cheating or theft. Security cameras are located throughout the facility, and employees patrol the floor. In addition, the game outcomes are closely monitored by computers, and any statistical deviation from expected results is quickly discovered.
Casinos also focus on customer service, offering perks to encourage gambling and reward those who do. For example, they often provide free food and drink to big bettors, discount travel packages, reduced-fare transportation, elegant living quarters, and free show tickets. In addition, casinos decorate with bright and sometimes gaudy colors to stimulate the senses and induce excitement.
The average casino patron is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. This demographic makes up the largest percentage of casino visitors, according to studies by Roper Reports GfK NOP and U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS.
While most Americans know of Atlantic City and Las Vegas as casino centers, many are unaware that there are casinos in other places. Many American Indian reservations have casinos, and several states have changed their anti-gambling laws to permit them. Moreover, some European cities, such as Baden-Baden in Germany, have built casinos. These facilities are sometimes known as “resort casinos” because of their luxurious decor and mindblowing number of games.