A casino is an establishment for gambling. In the United States, casinos are licensed and regulated by state governments. Many casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops and/or other tourist attractions. Some even offer a full range of entertainment, such as stage shows and live music. Some are known for their high stakes games and luxury suites, such as the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which was featured in the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven.
A significant part of a casino’s income is generated by the money players place on bets. Although every game has a built in statistical advantage for the casino, this edge is usually less than two percent and can be offset by the huge amount of bets placed by millions of people each year. In addition, many casinos bolster their profits by offering big bettors complimentary goods and services, such as free hotel rooms, meals and show tickets.
Something about gambling encourages cheating and theft, which is why casinos spend a great deal of time, effort and money on security. Cameras watch the tables, doorways and slots, and security personnel can view players through one way mirrors. Casino floor managers also employ bright and, at times, gaudy floor and wall coverings that are intended to stimulate the senses and keep gamblers from becoming bored.
According to a 2005 survey by Harrah’s Entertainment, the average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with above-average income. She is likely to play electronic machines and prefers video poker to table games.