Casino is a gambling establishment that provides various types of gaming entertainment, including slot machines, table games, poker and more. While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers, luxurious accommodations and elaborate themes help casinos draw in the crowds, it is the billions of dollars in gambling profits that make them a successful business.
Gambling is believed to have started as early as ancient Mesopotamia with primitive protodice (cut knuckle bones), but the casino concept didn’t evolve until the 16th century when a craze for the games swept Europe and Italian aristocrats held private parties at places called ridotti [Source: Schwartz]. Today, casinos are like luxury indoor amusement parks where gamblers place their bets on a variety of games of chance and hope to win big.
Despite the fact that a large percentage of casino revenues come from slot machines, the games themselves do not require any skill or strategy to play. The player simply inserts money into a machine, pulls a handle or pushes a button, and watches as varying bands of colored shapes roll on the reels (actual physical ones or video representations). If the pattern matches one of the predetermined winning combinations, the player wins a set amount of cash.
Considering that every game has a built in advantage for the casino, it is virtually impossible for a patron to beat the house and win every bet. That’s why casinos offer players comps such as free spectacular entertainment, dinners and hotel rooms, reduced-fare transportation and limo service to get them to keep betting.