marceloburlonCasino, as it is sometimes spelled, refers to an establishment where people gamble and play games of chance. It is a popular activity for many, and a source of income for some. Casinos are located in a variety of settings, from the glittering Las Vegas Strip to the illegal pai gow parlors of New York City’s Chinatown. In 2002, about 51 million Americans — a quarter of all people over the age of 21 — visited a casino.
Casinos make money by charging customers for gambling activities and enticing players with free goods and services. In addition to the obvious perks of free hotel rooms and meals, some casinos offer high-rollers free limo service and airline tickets. Most casinos are designed to stimulate the senses of sight and sound with bright colors, moving objects, and the clacking of coins in slot machines. In fact, more than 15,000 miles of neon tubing is used to light up the casinos along the Las Vegas Strip.
Although casinos are intended to be places where people can be entertained and win money, they also carry the danger of encouraging gambling addiction. Compulsive gambling can drain a community of productive citizens and cause families to break up. And while the revenue a casino brings into a town may seem impressive, studies show that it generally offsets any benefits by attracting tourists who spend less in the local economy.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, there is always the risk that patrons will attempt to cheat or steal, either in collusion with employees or independently. That is why casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security. Cameras are usually positioned throughout the facility to monitor activities, and security staff is trained to spot any unusual behavior.
Some of the most popular casino games include slots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette and craps. In addition, there are several versions of poker, including five-card draw, seven-card stud and Texas hold’em. While some casinos specialize in one or more of these games, others are equally diverse and feature a wide array of additional options.
Some casinos are more upscale than others, with elaborate hotels and restaurants. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for example, features a branch of the upscale Le Cirque restaurant and Hermes and Chanel boutiques. In addition, it offers the glitz and glamour of a movie set, complete with floor shows and golf courses. But while this level of entertainment is not available in all casinos, most can at least offer some level of pampering to their guests. This is especially true for the top casinos in the world, which offer a plethora of amenities and attractions to attract big spenders. These facilities are often designed to be the envy of other gaming destinations around the world.
