A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. The word casino is derived from the Italian casanova, meaning “house of pleasure”. The casino has become an international phenomenon and a worldwide industry. The world’s leading casinos are located in cities such as Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore.
Casinos rely on a combination of psychological and physical tactics to persuade people to gamble. They are designed around noise, light, and movement and evoke feelings of excitement and competition. They also offer a variety of perks to encourage patrons to spend more time and money on gambling. For example, they may offer free drinks or food and reduced-fare transportation to those who gamble for extended periods of time.
Security is also a major concern. Because large amounts of money are handled within the casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. Most casinos employ a variety of security measures to prevent such behavior. Casino employees are trained to spot the smallest infractions. Dealers, for example, are expected to maintain a consistent shuffle and can easily detect if someone is trying to palm cards or mark dice.
The average casino patron is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with an above-average income. According to surveys conducted by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, these people make up the largest group–23%–of casino gamblers.
