What Is a Casino?
A casino is a gambling establishment that features tables or machines where people can play games of chance or skill. Some casinos are massive resorts with restaurants, hotels, and entertainment; others are smaller rooms in bars, restaurants, or even on cruise ships. Regardless of size or location, successful casinos bring in billions of dollars each year for their owners, investors, and local governments. The American Gaming Association reports that about 51 million Americans—a quarter of the population over 21—visited a casino in 2002.
Casinos make money by charging players a “vig,” or edge, on their bets, which is designed to offset the house’s expenses. This advantage can be as low as two percent, but over millions of bets it can add up. In addition, casinos often use a high level of technology to monitor and supervise their games. For example, some poker chips have microcircuitry that enables the casinos to monitor exact amounts wagered minute by minute; roulette wheels are electronically monitored to quickly discover statistical deviations from their expected results.
In order to draw in gamblers, many casinos offer perks called comps, which are free goods and services like hotel rooms, meals, and tickets to shows. These are intended to make the casino more competitive with other gambling destinations and encourage gamblers to spend more money. Some of these perks are offered only to big spenders, such as those who place large bets or play long hours at slot machines. Ask a casino employee or someone at the information desk how to qualify for comps.
Because of the huge amount of currency handled within a casino, cheating and theft are possible. Both patrons and staff may be tempted to steal, in collusion or independently; most casinos have security measures in place to prevent this. Casinos also use sophisticated video surveillance systems to observe all areas of the casino and to detect unusual activity.
There are numerous other ways casinos try to lure gamblers, including offering free drinks and appetizers, and holding special events like concerts and sporting events. In addition, some casinos are built on the outskirts of towns and cities to appeal to tourists. This has helped casinos compete with each other, and it has also prompted some cities to limit the number of casinos they allow.
There are also some casinos that specialize in specific types of gambling, such as baccarat and blackjack. These casinos usually have fewer game options but are more expensive than other casinos. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, for example, is home to one of the world’s most famous casinos, which was built in 1860 and once hosted royalty and aristocracy. Today, it attracts gamblers from around the world. Its architecture is so beautiful that it inspired Ian Fleming to create the James Bond film, “Casino Royale.” In addition to baccarat and blackjack, the casino has 130 slot machines and more than 80 table games. It has an impressive collection of art and antiques.
