Casinos are gambling establishments that offer a variety of games of chance. They are designed to mesmerize and keep people gambling by creating an environment that stimulates the senses. Using bright colors (especially red) and flashing lights, casinos are meant to make people feel excited and happy. There are no clocks on the walls, and some have music playing that is meant to keep gamblers pumped up. Casinos are also famous for their “comps,” or complimentary goods and services. These perks can include free meals, hotel rooms and shows. Comps can be used to attract new customers, reinvigorate existing ones, or reward loyal gamblers.
Gambling has been a part of human civilization for millennia. Archeologists have found dice and other gaming devices dating back to 2300 BC China. Card games appeared in the 1400s and later on came roulette, baccarat and blackjack. In modern times, most gambling occurs in the United States and Europe. The most popular game in the world is slot machines, followed by poker and then blackjack. Table games and keno are much less popular with only 6% of respondents in a survey saying they like to play them.
Something about the presence of large sums of money encourages cheating and stealing. This is why casinos invest so much time and money in security. Dealers are trained to look for blatant cheating methods such as palming or marking cards, and pit bosses watch over table games with a broader view, looking out for betting patterns that might indicate someone is trying to take advantage of other patrons. Elaborate surveillance systems give the casino a high-tech eye-in-the-sky that can be adjusted to focus on certain suspicious patrons.