The Casino
The Casino (also known as the Gambling House or Gaming Establishment) is a place where people gamble on games of chance. Successful casinos generate billions of dollars a year for the companies, investors, and Native American tribes that own and operate them. In addition, the gaming industry also supports thousands of jobs in the form of dealers and other employees. Casinos are located on land and in riverboats and at racetracks, as well as in many bars and restaurants.
Casinos use a variety of tricks to persuade gamblers to spend their money. They are designed around noise, light, and excitement, and a large part of the casino experience includes drinking alcohol. Some casinos use bright and gaudy floor and wall coverings to stimulate the senses and create a cheering atmosphere. Others rely on the color red, which is thought to make people lose track of time. The casinos that offer table games often have a high number of employees, especially at the tables, who can help players with any questions or concerns.
Besides the employees, casinos rely on sophisticated technology to ensure fairness to patrons. In modern casinos, video cameras watch the casino floor to spot cheating or stealing; betting chips have microcircuitry that allows them to be monitored minute-by-minute and warned of statistical deviations; and roulette wheels are electronically inspected regularly for signs of fraud or other problems. Casinos are also a major source of income for the state governments that tax them.