A casino is a building that houses a variety of gambling games. The games that are played in a casino include slots, roulette, blackjack, craps and keno. The casinos that are operated in the United States are responsible for billions of dollars in profits each year. This article will examine how the casinos make money, what kinds of people gamble in them, and how they keep their patrons safe.
Gambling predates recorded history, with primitive prototype dice and carved six-sided sticks being found at the oldest archaeological sites. The modern casino evolved as a result of the popularity of gambling, with the first casinos opening in the 16th century as small Italian private clubs called ridotti [Source: Schwartz]. As a form of entertainment, the casinos offered many different types of games and attracted a high social class.
As a business, casinos have a number of built-in advantages that ensure they will always win. Every game has a mathematical expectancy of winning or losing, and it is very rare for a casino to lose money on its games for more than one day. Because of this virtual guarantee of gross profit, the casinos offer big bettors extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment and luxury hotel rooms. They also reward slot players with free meals, reduced-fare transportation and limo service.
While the casinos are known for their glamorous atmosphere and sophisticated customers, they are not without their dark side. They can serve as a gateway to illicit drugs and illegal gambling, and they often lure local residents away from more legitimate forms of recreation and into expensive addictions. In addition, the economic drain from compulsive gambling can often offset any revenue gains.