What Is a Casino?

When most Americans think of a casino, they imagine one of the massive resorts in Las Vegas – a place gleaming with neon lights and gambling games. However, the term casino actually encompasses a much wider range of establishments. Some casinos are small card rooms, while others are huge gaming complexes that feature hotels, restaurants, and entertainment shows. Some are even located on boats and barges on waterways across the country.

Most people who gamble in a casino do so as part of a group. In fact, according to a poll conducted for the American Gaming Association in 2002 by Hart Research Associates and the Luntz Research Companies, 92% of those who go to casinos do so as a form of social entertainment. The same survey found that 82% of those who visit a casino consider it to be a fun night out. The large casinos go to great lengths to lure patrons into their facilities and keep them gambling as long as possible. They invest millions of dollars determining what colors, sounds, and scents appeal to their target audience.

Casinos rely on technology to ensure the integrity of their operations. For example, some of their tables have betting chips with built-in microcircuitry that allows casinos to monitor bets minute by minute and warn them of any statistical deviation. Similarly, roulette wheels are monitored electronically to identify any unusually fast or slow rotations. In addition, cameras and video surveillance systems are used to monitor the activities of players on the floor.

Back To Top