A casino is a place where people gamble on games of chance. It may be a place with a lavish theme that includes restaurants, musical shows and other attractions. But the main attraction is still gambling, which is why casinos would not exist without the games of chance like blackjack, roulette, craps, slot machines and keno that bring in billions in profits each year.
Casinos attract many types of people, but their patrons are typically wealthy adults who can afford to spend large amounts of money on gambling. In 2005, the typical casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with an above average income. The same year, Harrah’s Entertainment found that the highest-earning casino gamblers were older parents with above average incomes who were able to take regular trips to Las Vegas and other major gambling destinations.
Because large sums of money are handled within casinos, there is a great potential for cheating and stealing. Casinos therefore devote a significant amount of time and money to security. Casino floor employees have a close eye on their patrons, looking for anything from blatantly obvious palming to subtle changes in betting patterns that might signal an attempt to manipulate a game. Casinos also use elaborate surveillance systems that provide a “eye in the sky” look at all of their tables, change windows and entrances.
Casinos are also designed to make their visitors feel relaxed and pampered. They typically offer free drinks, free food and reduced-fare transportation to encourage their patrons to gamble more and stay longer. They also feature a variety of special attractions, such as fountains, shopping centers and luxury hotels.