A casino is a place where people can play games of chance for money. Some casinos offer a variety of amenities to attract customers, such as restaurants, free drinks, and stage shows. Despite these luxury additions, casinos are primarily gambling establishments.
When people think of gambling, they probably picture a twinkly-lit room filled with loud music and the clacking of dice on tables. While that scene is still common in Vegas, casino patrons are not limited to a single type of game. There are plenty of other options for gamblers, including a huge selection of slot machines, table games, and poker. Many casinos even feature live entertainment and themed events to keep things interesting.
In a 2002 survey, Gemini Research asked respondents who have admitted to engaging in casino gambling to name their favorite games. The largest portion of the respondent population selected slot machines. Cards and casino-based gambling on sports/racing events each garnered a slightly lower percentage of the vote.
In order to ensure the safety and security of their patrons, casinos invest in elaborate surveillance systems. For example, a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” system allows security personnel to watch every table, window and doorway in the entire casino at once. This technology can be adjusted to zoom in on suspicious patrons, and it can also record footage for later review. In addition, the casinos hire experienced professionals to monitor and enforce their rules. As a result, cheating and other illegal activities are incredibly rare.
