The Casino – The Glitzy, Noisy Place For Gambling Enthusiasts
The casino is a glitzy, noisy place with high-tech gambling machines and tables. There are also restaurants, a nightclub and shows. Many states have laws regulating casino gambling. Some, like Hawaii and Utah, prohibit it completely. Others allow riverboat casinos, electronic gaming devices at racetracks and state-run lotteries.
Most casinos have security measures to prevent cheating, stealing and other violations. The casino’s computers constantly monitor the bets made and keep track of all the money wagered. In addition, the computers can instantly identify a tampering attempt and alert security workers to investigate. Some casinos have cameras mounted in every room to keep an eye on patrons.
Something about the presence of large amounts of cash seems to encourage both patrons and staff members to try to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot. Because of this, casinos spend a great deal of time, effort and money on security.
Gambling is a highly addictive activity. Some people become so hooked that they generate a disproportionate share of a casino’s profits and cause significant economic damage to the community. Studies suggest that problem gamblers divert money from other forms of entertainment and impose heavy costs on society, including the cost of treating addiction, loss of workplace productivity, and crime related to gambling.
Despite their reputation as places of hedonistic excess, casinos are primarily profit-making enterprises. They make money by accepting bets and redistributing winnings to patrons. Casinos are built on the belief that human nature is predisposed to gambling. To maximize profits, they use a variety of marketing and advertising techniques to lure potential gamblers. Casinos offer free or reduced-fare transportation, elegant living quarters, drinks and food while gambling, and other extravagant inducements to attract big bettors.
In 2005, a typical casino patron was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with an above-average income. She was most likely to visit a casino in the southern part of the country, where it was legal to gamble. While casino gambling is legal in most states, only a few states, including Nevada and New Hampshire, have commercial land-based casinos. In most other states, gambling is regulated by tribal governments or the state. The majority of casinos are located in the cities of Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City. Some are located in other major cities, such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto. Some casinos are even located overseas. In Japan, for example, the casino is a national pastime. The MGM Grand in Las Vegas is a storied casino that has attracted hardened dollar spinners and curious first-timers alike. Its tables and slot machines are famous, but it is perhaps best known for its lively sports book. Here, patrons can flick a few coins on American football, boxing and martial arts while enjoying drinks and snacks from the well-stocked bar.
