A casino is a place where people play gambling games. Some casinos add other luxuries like restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to attract gamblers. A casino is often a centerpiece of a resort or hotel and is designed to be a fun and exciting place.
A surprisingly large number of Americans play casino games. In 2005, about 23 percent of adults ages twenty-one and over gambled at a casino. The average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with above-average income.
In the past, casino gambling was primarily illegal. As a result, it attracted organized crime figures who had plenty of cash from other illegal activities to fund their gambling habit. They often gathered in casino high roller rooms, where their bets could run into the tens of thousands of dollars. These rooms were usually separate from the main casino floor. In return for their massive wagers, casinos offered them comps (free hotel rooms, meals and show tickets).
Today, many casinos have become much more sophisticated. They use video cameras to monitor the activity in the gaming areas. Some even use computers to supervise the actual games, such as roulette wheels or blackjack tables, so that they can detect any suspicious betting patterns.
Some of the biggest and best casinos are located in Las Vegas, which has earned a reputation for luxury and sophistication. The Bellagio, for example, has dancing fountains, luxurious accommodations and acclaimed dining options. This famous casino was also the setting for the movie Ocean’s 11.
