A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. The word is most often used in the United States to refer to a large building that houses various games of chance for public consumption, but it can also describe smaller gaming rooms. In addition to the games themselves, casinos feature a variety of other entertainment and luxury amenities designed to attract and retain patrons.
The glitzy casinos of Las Vegas and Atlantic City are the most famous, but there are hundreds of others throughout the world, ranging from elegant spa resorts in Germany to illegal pai gow parlors in Chinatown. Although many casinos employ different strategies to lure players, most target similar audiences. The average American casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with above-average income.
Aside from the sheer volume of customers, a casino’s primary source of revenue comes from the house edge-the percentage of money that the casino expects to make on all bets. This advantage is built into the game’s rules and is determined by the type of machine, its payout percentage, and the frequency with which it is played.
A casino’s advantage is further increased by the perks offered to big spenders, or comps. These freebies, such as hotel rooms, meals, and show tickets, are based on how much time and money a player spends at the tables or slot machines. Elaborate surveillance systems are also designed to prevent cheating, with catwalks in the ceiling that allow security personnel to view the action directly below through one-way glass.