A casino is an establishment for gambling. In general, casino gambling is distinguished from other forms of entertainment by the fact that gamblers are physically surrounded by other people as they play games of chance or skill. Casinos are typically located in or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships or other tourist attractions. Casinos may also host a variety of live entertainment events.
In 2005, the average American visited a casino about twice a year. The majority of casino patrons are middle-class households with above-average incomes. These gamblers tend to be forty-six years old, and they are more likely than other adults to have a college degree.
A large portion of casino revenue comes from players who place bets on table games. In these games, a croupier deals the cards or runs the game and collects the wagers. The casino takes a percentage of these bets, or their expected value, as its profit. This profit is sometimes referred to as the house edge. In games where the house does not take a fixed percentage of winnings, such as poker, it earns money from a commission, called the rake.
Casinos are carefully designed to manipulate visitors’ behavior. They are lit brightly and often are filled with noise and excitement. Gamblers are encouraged to continue betting by offering them a range of perks, known as comps. These perks can include free room and board, food, drinks and even tickets to shows.
