A casino is a gambling establishment that offers gamblers the chance to place bets on games of chance, or even some with an element of skill. These casinos are usually regulated by state law. Casinos vary in size and scope and are located all over the world. Some of the most famous include Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Macau.
According to the American Gaming Association, about 51 million people visited a casino in 2002. This figure is almost double the number of people who legally visited a casino in 1999. This is because many states have legalized casino gambling, and newer casinos are popping up all over the country.
The majority of casino visitors are forty-six years old or older and have a household income above average. They play a variety of games, and the average casino visit lasts nine minutes on slot machines and 42 minutes playing table games.
Many casinos give players free goods and services (known as comps) based on their play. These can include hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows and limo service. Some casinos also have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look down, through one way glass, at the tables and slots from above.
Because of the large amount of money handled, casinos are prone to cheating and stealing by both patrons and employees. To combat this, most casinos have strict security measures in place. This includes a visible security staff and video cameras that cover every square inch of the property.
