A casino is a place where patrons can play a variety of games of chance for money. Casinos often add many luxuries to attract customers, such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. Some casinos also offer more elaborate amenities, such as a tower or replica of an architectural landmark. A casino is a gambling establishment and therefore subject to laws that regulate the activities that occur there. While gambling likely predates recorded history, the modern casino as we know it did not develop until the 16th century during a gambling craze in Europe. At that time, wealthy Italian aristocrats would gather in private social clubs known as ridotti to gamble and enjoy themselves. [Source: Schwartz]. The popularity of these clubs spread throughout the world, and the term casino was adopted to describe them.
Although casinos are often associated with Las Vegas, they can be found in a variety of locations. Some are located in major resorts, while others are small card rooms operated by local organizations. A few casinos are on boats or barges that operate on waterways, and some states allow casino-type games to be played at racetracks, called racinos.
Successful casinos earn billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors and Native American tribes that own and operate them. State and local governments also reap significant revenues from casino gambling.
Because of the large amount of money handled by casino employees and patrons, there is a certain level of risk inherent in casino gambling. Several security measures are used to ensure the safety of patrons and property. Typical casino security measures include the use of security cameras, door locks and cash registers that require two people to sign for and verify transactions. In addition, casinos often employ the use of high-intensity lighting and a brash decorating scheme that is designed to stimulate the senses. The use of red as a primary color is especially effective in creating this effect. Despite the heightened security, there is something about gambling that encourages cheating and theft by both patrons and employees. This is why casinos spend a considerable amount of their budgets on security.
In general, the average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. This is one of the reasons that most casinos focus on marketing their slot machines and other electronic gaming devices to this audience. In a 2005 survey by Harrah’s Entertainment, female casino gamblers favored electronic machines in the $0.25- to $0.50-per-play range. Male casino gamblers, on the other hand, were more inclined to play table games such as poker, blackjack and roulette.