A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. In the past, many casinos were less luxurious and simply served as houses for gambling activities, but today most are upscale facilities with high-end restaurants and stage shows. In addition to gambling, casinos often offer other activities such as poker and horse racing.
In addition to providing an atmosphere designed around noise and light, casinos try to persuade people to play by offering perks. These are known as comps, and they can include things like free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets, and limo service. Most casinos also have special areas for high rollers, who receive extra attention and perks because they spend a lot of money.
Unlike some other types of gambling, which involve a large amount of money that is handled in public, casino gambling involves more personal interaction between patrons and the dealers or croupiers. Because of this, there is a higher potential for cheating and theft by both patrons and employees. Consequently, casinos employ many security measures, including cameras.
A typical casino patron is a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with above average income. She is more likely to be married than single, and her children are likely to have a college education. Moreover, she is more likely to be a gambler than a non-gambler. This demographic is a key reason why the number of casinos continues to grow, even in states that have legalized gambling.