A casino is an establishment for gambling. It also can be a place for other entertainment activities, such as concerts and shows. A casino is usually located near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops and cruise ships.
Modern casinos resemble indoor amusement parks, with musical shows and lighted fountains attracting guests. But the main attraction is games of chance, which generate billions of dollars in profits for casinos each year. These games include slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat.
Gambling in some form has been popular throughout history, and the casino is a major source of revenue for many states. However, it was not until Nevada legalized casino gambling in 1931 that the industry grew beyond a few small, isolated locales. Nevada’s success inspired other states to allow gambling, and casinos became a major tourist destination.
Casinos must be secure environments, since large amounts of money change hands. Cheating and theft are a concern, and casino staff must be vigilant to deter both collusion and independent attempts at advantage-taking. Security cameras are a basic measure, but casinos also employ a number of other technologies to keep their patrons safe.
Some casinos use computer chips in betting chips that record the amount wagered minute by minute, and a central system monitors their activity; others have catwalks that run through the ceilings to allow surveillance personnel to look down on gamblers from above through one-way glass. In 2005, according to Roper Reports GfK NOP and TNS, the average casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with an above-average income.