A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It is also a place for entertainment, such as music and shows. Casinos can be found in the United States and around the world.
The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the bulk of its entertainment and profits coming from games of chance. Slot machines, roulette, craps, baccarat and other table games earn billions in annual profits for casinos. Spectacular hotels, elaborate fountains and shopping centers help to draw in visitors.
Gambling can be a lot of fun, but it is also an industry where cheating and theft are common. There are many security measures in place to deter such behavior. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” view of every room, table and window. Security workers in a separate room filled with banks of monitors can adjust the cameras to focus on suspicious patrons.
Aside from the obvious security measures, casinos spend a great deal of time and money on customer service. They aim to encourage gamblers to spend more by offering free or discounted show tickets, food and drinks while gambling. They also use bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings, especially red, to stimulate the senses and make people lose track of time. In 2005, the typical casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with above-average income. About half had some college education, but only about one in four had a graduate degree.