A casino is a gambling establishment that offers patrons games of chance, and sometimes of skill, for money. These games may involve spinning a wheel or dealing cards, or they might involve throwing dice or pulling a lever on a slot machine. Many casinos also offer food, drink and entertainment.
In America, casino gambling is a huge industry. In 2002, 51 million people—a quarter of the population over 21—visited a casino. Casinos are a major source of entertainment in places such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and they are a significant source of revenue for states that legalize gambling. However, studies show that compulsive gamblers skew casino profits, and the cost of treating problem gambling addiction offsets any economic gains from gambling.
Some casinos try to attract customers by offering a variety of amenities, like free shows, spa services and high-end restaurants. Others focus on gambling, offering everything from pai gow poker to baccarat. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for example, has a branch of New York’s prestigious Le Cirque restaurant and Hermes and Chanel boutiques.
Casinos are regulated by governments, and some have specific rules about the type of game that can be played there. For instance, some require dealers to wear a uniform and speak in a particular accent. They are also required to pay taxes on their winnings.
Most casinos have some form of security, to prevent cheating and stealing by patrons. Some have eye-in-the-sky surveillance systems that can watch every table, window and doorway at once; these cameras are often monitored by a team of security workers in a room filled with banks of monitors. In some casinos, players use chips instead of cash to make their bets, which makes it harder for them to conceal a cheating attempt.