A casino may offer music, lighted fountains and lavish hotels to draw in tourists, but the billions of dollars that casinos rake in every year are mostly from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and other games of chance provide the thrill that brings people to these opulent temples of temptation.

The glitz of the Bellagio, the flashing lights of the Paris and the roar of the roulette wheel are some of the things that make casinos famous around the world. But the truth about casinos is that they aren’t really much fun to play in, and they’re not nearly as glamorous as they appear in movies.

Most casinos are regulated by state or provincial laws, and they have to obey the same tax regulations as other businesses. They also have to employ security personnel, which isn’t cheap. Casinos are a prime target for crooks and cheats, who have been known to steal money, manipulate games of chance and even set fires to attract attention. Casinos are forced to spend a large amount of money on security, so you should try to go when it’s less crowded.

Most casinos have loyalty programs that reward players who spend a lot of time and money there. These rewards usually include free hotel rooms, tickets to shows, meals and other perks. You can find out more about these programs by asking a casino employee or at the information desk. If you plan to gamble for several days, it’s a good idea to put your gambling money into separate envelopes for each day, and avoid drinking too many of the casino’s free beverages, which are usually designed to make you lose more quickly.