A casino is a place where people can gamble by playing games of chance, and in some cases of skill. In addition to offering traditional table and slot machines, many casinos now feature a variety of entertainment, top-notch hotels and spas, and non-gambling activities like bars and restaurants. Some casinos are massive, occupying entire city blocks and offering thousands of gaming tables, while others are more modest in size but still offer a wide array of gambling opportunities.
While some casinos cater to high rollers, most offer a variety of incentives to attract all types of gamblers. These can include free spectacular entertainment, meals and hotel rooms, as well as reduced-fare transportation and other perks. In addition, the house always has a mathematical edge over patrons, so it is impossible for a player to win more than the casino can afford to pay out.
Modern casinos are heavily monitored, with video cameras constantly watching each table and changing focus as players shift their attention or if suspected cheating occurs. A separate room filled with banks of security monitors offers a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” view of the entire casino that can be focused on specific suspicious patrons by a team of security workers. The system also enables the casino to review tapes of past events for clues to crime and cheating patterns.
Another way casinos keep tabs on patrons is by installing devices that track their betting habits. These include chips with microcircuitry that allow the casino to monitor the exact amounts of money being wagered minute by minute, and electronic systems that supervise roulette wheels and dice games to discover any statistical deviation from their expected results. Casinos also monitor the behavior of patrons using sophisticated software that identifies their betting patterns and calculates their odds of winning.
In 2005, a study by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS showed that the average casino patron is a forty-six-year-old female who lives in a household with above-average income. Other research shows that women are more likely to be attracted to the social aspects of casinos than men, and are less likely to consider themselves problem gamblers. Some casinos are built in exotic locations, and others have a sleek, modern design. The ultra-modern Hotel Lisboa in Macau is designed to look like a birdcage, and features a million LED lights. Some casinos are based on ancient games, while others are devoted to specific card games or are named after famous cities or celebrities. Many are a relic of the Mob era, but the rise of real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets has made it possible for legitimate businesses to buy out the Mafia and run their casinos without mob interference. These casinos are often more luxurious than their Mob-run counterparts, and offer a wider range of games and amenities. In addition to the usual array of gaming tables, they usually have bars, non-gambling game rooms, restaurants and pools.
