A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Modern casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports events. Casino may also refer to:
The most famous casinos are in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Macau. But even the smallest towns and cities have one, or several, of these gaming establishments. Casinos offer a variety of games, including slot machines, table games and video poker. They also offer complimentary drinks, luxury suites and other perks to keep customers betting. The goal is to keep players coming back for more, and research shows that they succeed.
Due to the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. The vast majority of casinos have security measures to prevent this. Many have a “higher-up” person who watches each employee, keeping an eye out for suspicious behavior. Some casinos have elaborate surveillance systems, with cameras on every floor and in every room, giving staff an “eye-in-the-sky” view of all activity.
In the United States, casinos are licensed and regulated by state governments. In addition to the obvious legal implications, there are social and environmental concerns that arise from the operation of casinos. The most important issue is the potential for problem gambling, but there are also issues related to the physical structure of the casinos and the nature of the games played.