Casinos make money by charging players a small percentage of every bet they place. This advantage can be as low as two percent, but it generates a lot of revenue and allows casinos to build spectacular hotels, towers, fountains and replicas of famous landmarks.
The casino industry is heavily regulated and has very high security standards. Patrons are screened and prohibited from carrying firearms or other weapons, and casino staff patrol the floors and lobby areas. Cameras record all activities inside and outside the casino, and electronic surveillance systems have an eye-in-the-sky capability. In addition to relying on cameras, many casinos use behavioral analysis and other technology to deter crime and encourage responsible gambling.
Something about gambling (perhaps the presence of large amounts of money) seems to inspire people to cheat, steal and scam their way to a jackpot instead of trusting that luck or skill will prevail. For this reason, casinos spend a considerable amount of time and money on security measures.
Gambling is a social activity, and casinos promote a lively atmosphere with music and entertainment. Some even offer alcoholic drinks to their patrons, although it’s important to remember that drinking can impede your ability to gamble responsibly.
There are over 340 legal land-based casinos in Nevada and another twenty-two in New Jersey, but none is more famous than Las Vegas. Its name is synonymous with gambling and it has been called “the entertainment capital of the world.” According to a 2005 study by Roper Reports GfK and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, the average casino visitor is a forty-six-year-old female from an upper-middle class household with above-average income.