The casino is the place where gamblers risk their money for a chance to win. Its many attractions — musical shows, lighted fountains, shops and hotels, to name a few — may draw the crowds, but casinos would not exist without games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and other gambling games provide the billions of dollars in profits that casinos rake in every year. This article takes a look at the history of casinos, how they stay safe and the darker side of their business.
Casinos are a major attraction for tourists and locals alike. They have top-notch hotels, restaurants and spas, and a variety of gaming options. Some even feature non-gambling entertainment such as concerts and shows. In the United States, gambling is legal only in the casinos that are licensed and regulated by the state. This is why casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security.
Many casinos also use advanced technology to monitor their patrons. For example, some have “chip tracking” systems that enable them to see the exact amount of money wagered on each table minute by minute; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviation from their expected results. Video cameras and computers can also be used to keep an eye on players’ actions, so that any suspicious behavior is caught on tape.
Something about gambling engenders dishonesty and deception, and casinos work hard to prevent cheating, stealing and other crimes. The large amounts of money involved in some games encourage crooks to try and steal winnings, even though the house always has an edge. Casinos employ a number of strategies to prevent this, including the use of chips that make money into an abstraction, and a system that gives free food and drinks to big spenders.
Casinos can also be very attractive to organized crime figures, who have plenty of cash from drug dealing and extortion rackets. Mafia families took over and controlled several of the old Las Vegas casinos in the 1950s, adding to the gambling establishment’s seamy image. They also threw in their own money to boost the bottom lines.
Regardless of their glitz, glamour and entertainment, casinos are a dangerous place to gamble. According to a study by Roper Reports GfK and the U.S. Gaming Panel, 24% of Americans reported having visited a casino in the previous year. The majority of those who went to a casino were between the ages of 45 and 64, a demographic that tends to have more disposable income and vacation time than younger people. Among those who gambled, nearly half had some college education and a quarter had an associate degree or higher. In general, the typical American casino gambler has a bachelor’s or graduate degree and makes an annual income of about $76,000. This compares with about $40,000 for people who do not gamble. The average person who visited a casino in 2008 spent about four hours playing gambling games.