What Is a Casino?
A casino is an establishment for social amusements, specifically gambling. The term is derived from the Latin word for “house of games.” When most people think of casinos, they imagine the glittering, neon-lit megaresorts that dominate the Las Vegas Strip. However, there are casinos in other locations and they come in all sizes and shapes. Some are small businesses defined more by the types of gambling they offer than by glitz and glamour.
The popularity of casino gambling has grown since the late 1980s. In 2003, a Gallup Organization poll indicated that about 30% of American adults visited a casino within the previous twelve months. The figure is even higher for those who admit to playing online casino games.
In order to survive, casinos must make money on the wagers placed by their patrons. The mathematical odds are always against game players, so a casino must take in more than it gives out to be profitable in the long run. This explains why many casinos offer lavish inducements to the highest bettors. These may include free spectacular entertainment, luxury accommodations and transportation, and reduced-fare food, drinks and cigarettes while gambling.
Casinos employ sophisticated technology to ensure that all bets are made legitimately. For example, in some table games, the chips have built-in microcircuitry that interacts with electronic systems to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute. Roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviation from their expected results. These and other methods are used to protect the assets of casinos.