A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games for players to wager money or credit. Some casinos specialize in particular types of games, while others offer a mix of everything from poker to bingo and even blackjack. There are more than 1,000 casinos in the United States, and many more scattered around the globe. Some are large resorts like the Bellagio in Las Vegas, while others are small neighborhood venues with a handful of tables and chairs.
Casinos were first popularized by organized crime figures who used their mob cash to finance the operations, but soon legitimate businessmen began opening their own casinos. Real estate investors and hotel chains had much more money than the gangsters, and their reputations were less tainted by gambling’s seamy image. They could also avoid any problems with the mafia by buying out the mobsters and taking sole or partial ownership of the casinos, so they were free to run them without the mob’s interference.
Modern casinos are designed with security in mind, and their high-tech “eyes-in-the-sky” surveillance systems make it easy for security personnel to watch everyone who enters the premises. Cameras are placed in every room and can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons by security workers in a separate control room.
The majority of casino patrons are older than forty-five, and most of them have above-average incomes. They also have a lot of available leisure time and vacation days. As a result, these people tend to be good gamblers, making frequent visits and spending lots of money. Casinos know this, and they reward these big bettors with comps. These free goods and services include hotel rooms, meals, shows, limo service and airline tickets. Lesser bettors are still rewarded with free food and drinks while playing and reduced-fare transportation and hotel rooms.
Most casinos use bright, sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings that have a stimulating, cheering effect on their patrons. In addition, the sound system is usually pumped full of loud music to further enhance the atmosphere and distract gamblers from their own money problems. There are no clocks on the walls, because it is believed that seeing a clock would cause a gambler to lose track of time and increase his or her bets.
The casino industry has a strong impact on the economy of its host cities, and local housing prices are affected by the presence of a nearby casino. The largest concentration of casinos is in Nevada, with other significant numbers located in Atlantic City and Chicago.