When people think of a casino, they often picture the gleaming megaresorts in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, with their neon lights, games of chance, and live entertainment. But a casino is more than a gambling establishment; it is also a place for social activities, such as restaurants, retail shops, and hotel rooms. Many casinos offer a wide variety of gambling products, including table games, slot machines, and card games.

Casinos are designed to stimulate gamblers’ senses of sight, sound, and touch. The lighting is bright, and the floor and wall coverings are colorful. The noise level is usually high, and the music pulsates. In addition, the machine sounds are electronically tuned to a particular musical key to enhance the sensory experience. The clacking of coins and the ringing bells of the slot machines add to the overall excitement.

During the 1970s, the casino industry began to expand as more American states legalized casino gambling. Native American tribes also began opening their own casinos, as did riverboat casinos in some cities. Today, there are casinos in thirty-five states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. Many of these offer both land-based and online gaming.

In a recent survey of casino patrons, the largest percentage indicated that they liked to play slot machines. Card games came in second, with 30% of the vote, followed by table games (such as blackjack and poker) and then bingo and keno. Only 6% of the respondents enjoyed playing sports and horse racing.