For some people, casinos offer a fun way to spend time in a new town. But there’s more to a casino than flashing lights and noise. There are games of chance, as well as skill-based gambling like poker and blackjack. Then there are the drinks, meals and other perks. In 2002, according to the American Gaming Association, about 51 million people \u2014 roughly one quarter of all those over 21 \u2014 visited casinos. This included the glitzy resorts of Las Vegas, shuttle buses crowded with tourists in Atlantic City and even illegal pai gow parlors in New York.<\/p>\n
Most of these people are not problem gamblers. The average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with an above-average income. She has a job, but not necessarily a professional career. She makes about $23,000 a year. She spends about $8,000 a month in a casino.<\/p>\n
While gambling is not for everyone, there are a lot of people who love it. The reasons are varied and complex. Among them: Hobbies are forms of escapism and provide a way for people to relieve daily stress. They also release feel-good hormones and improve concentration and cognitive function. Some people gamble for the social interaction, as in craps or poker; others do it for the thrill of winning.<\/p>\n
For most people, however, the odds are stacked against them. And casinos make games with lousy odds the most attractive by amping them up with bright lights and colors. So before you head to the tables, read up on what you’re up against.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"