A casino is an establishment that offers the opportunity for patrons to gamble by offering games of chance and, in some cases, skill. Most casinos are designed to attract a wide audience, and they frequently combine gambling with restaurants, hotels, shopping, live entertainment and other activities. Some casinos operate on land, while others are built inside cruise ships, retail stores or other large buildings. Modern casinos often include sophisticated security systems and other technologies to prevent cheating and theft by both patrons and employees.
Casinos are often a destination attraction, with customers traveling from all over the world to visit them. In the United States, many casinos are located in tourist areas such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Several states have legalized casinos, and many American Indian tribes run their own gambling operations. Many casinos are also located on reservations, which make them exempt from state antigambling laws.
Gambling is a social activity, and the casino environment is designed around noise, light, and excitement. In addition to the clatter of slot machines and the shouts of players at table games, casinos feature dancers and other live entertainment. Patrons can place bets with chips, paper tickets, or cash. The most common bets are made on card games, such as blackjack, and on dice or roulette wheels. In some games, the casino takes a commission or rake from each wager, which is known as the house edge.
Some casinos offer free goods and services to their best players, known as comps. These can include hotel rooms, meals, show tickets, and even airline tickets. To receive comps, players must ask a host or casino employee for assistance. Typically, the more money a player spends at the casino, the higher their comp level and the more complimentary items they will receive.
The casino industry is highly competitive, and most locations try to differentiate themselves from competitors by offering unique attractions and amenities. Some of these features are obvious, such as the Venetian Macau’s canal and gondolas or the Wynn Las Vegas’s golf course and towering waterfall. Other less apparent casino features include specialized training for dealers and managers, which helps ensure consistent customer service and a high quality gaming experience.
In addition to a physical security force, most casinos have a specialized surveillance department. These departments monitor the casino floor and its patrons through closed circuit television systems with multiple cameras, known in the industry as the “eye in the sky.” This system allows security personnel to see everything that is happening on the floor at any given moment. Security camera positioning is constantly adjusted to maximize coverage.
While most casino customers are not addicted to gambling, a significant percentage are attracted by the atmosphere and the social interaction it provides. According to a 2005 survey by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, the average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old female with an above-average income. This demographic accounts for the majority of casino gambling revenue.