What is a Casino?
A casino is an establishment where people can gamble, or place bets on games of chance. Many casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. There are more than 340 casinos in Nevada, the most famous being Las Vegas. There are also casinos in other states, such as New Jersey and California.
The idea of a casino began in the 16th century, when gambling crazes swept Europe. The word casino is probably derived from the Italian for “little house,” and it may refer to the private rooms where European nobles would gather to play. The aristocracy had a reputation for being good gamblers, and they were not bothered by the fact that gambling was technically illegal.
In modern casinos, the emphasis is on security. Cameras are everywhere, and the ceiling is filled with banks of monitors that can be focused on a suspicious patron at any time. Electronic systems monitor slot machine payouts, and roulette wheels are wired to record and detect statistical deviations from expected results. Casino employees also observe patrons’ routines and habits, watching for blatant cheating like palming or marking cards or dice.
Most people who go to a casino are not there to win money; they’re just looking for an enjoyable way to spend an evening. The lights are bright and the walls are often painted in gaudy colors to stimulate and cheer patrons. Red is a favorite, because it’s a color that makes people lose track of time. There are no clocks on the walls because it’s important for casino patrons not to notice how long they’ve been there.