Casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and generates billions in profits for its owners every year. While musical shows, lighted fountains and elaborate hotels help lure gamblers in, the vast majority of a casino’s profits come from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, roulette and craps are among the most popular games that earn casinos their billions. The edge for the house in these and other games is often less than two percent, but it adds up over time as bettors lose more money than they win.
While gambling probably predates recorded history — primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice have been found at ancient archaeological sites — the casino as an organized place to gamble under one roof didn’t develop until the 16th century when a gambling craze swept Europe. In Italy, wealthy aristocrats gathered at small private clubs called ridotti for social events, but the games were all about gambling. Gambling was illegal, but the owners of these private venues weren’t bothered by the Italian Inquisition or other legal authorities.
Today’s casino is much more than a smoky, noisy building where you can play card and dice games. They are often bright and gaudy and have no clocks on the walls, because people tend to forget about time when they’re having fun. Casinos often use red for floor and wall coverings because it’s a color that stimulates the brain.
Many casinos reward high-spending patrons with complimentary hotel rooms, meals and tickets to entertainment. They also give comps to those who spend hours at a game. But some studies suggest that the social cost of gambling – including addiction treatment and lost productivity by addicted workers – more than offsets any economic benefit casinos may bring to a community.
