The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with lighted fountains, musical shows and shops to draw in the crowds. But the vast majority of revenue a casino brings in comes from games of chance, and slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno provide the thrill and excitement that make casinos so popular with gamblers.
Casinos have a built in advantage in every game, which is called the house edge. It can be as low as two percent, but it adds up over millions of bets placed by casino patrons each year. That advantage gives casinos the funds to build spectacular hotels, towers, fountains and replicas of famous structures.
In addition to gambling, casinos offer restaurants, theaters and other entertainment. They also employ large numbers of people to supervise the games and deal with customers. Casinos often reward loyal players with comps, such as free meals or rooms, show tickets and other perks. Casinos also employ security personnel to keep tabs on patrons and prevent cheating or other illegal activities.
Many American states have passed laws legalizing casino gambling. Casinos are now found throughout the United States, including Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Several tribes have also opened casinos on their reservation lands. Casinos are regulated by state gaming boards. In addition to the normal rules of each game, casinos are required to meet minimum standards for security and cleanliness.
Casinos are a major source of jobs, especially for women and minorities. Almost half of all gaming floor employees are women, and the industry has a higher than average percentage of minorities. However, the pay for casino employees is low compared to other industries.
The word casino derives from the Italian noun casa, meaning “house.” Originally, it meant a small country house or lodge. As the popularity of gambling grew in Europe, the term came to be used for any place where gamblers could gather, and the name eventually morphed into its modern sense. The word entered the English language in the mid-1700s.
