The twinkly, noisy casino seems like a great place to gamble away the day and see whether “Lady Luck” is on your side. But it’s not quite as easy as it looks in the movies. Casinos may be lavish, with lighted fountains, gourmet restaurants and shops, but they would not exist without the billions of dollars in profits that are made every year from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and other gambling games provide the entertainment that draws people to casinos.
Most casinos focus their investments on people who make large bets, referred to as high rollers. They often spend much more than average, and the casinos reward them with perks, including free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows and limo service. These rewards, called comps, help casinos to stay in business and to attract customers.
Besides gambling, casinos offer entertainment such as floor shows and golf courses. They are usually associated with a city or region and help to boost tourism. The largest concentration of casinos is in Las Vegas. Other notable ones are Atlantic City and Chicago.
The most important tip for anyone visiting a casino is to play within your budget. Never gamble with money you’ve earmarked for necessities such as food or rent. And don’t use a credit card to gamble. Borrowing money to gamble can ruin your financial situation, even if you win. Also, beware of cheaters and thieves. They are out to take advantage of your vulnerability, and casinos have a variety of security measures to prevent them.
