A casino, also known as a gaming establishment or gambling house, is a place where people can gamble. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In the United States, casinos are most commonly found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
In addition to gambling, many casinos feature world-class hotels, spas, and entertainment venues. Some are known for their glamorous atmosphere, as depicted in popular films like the Ocean’s 11 series. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for example, is famous for its dancing fountains.
Casinos are regulated by state and/or provincial governments, which ensure that they operate within legal limits. To prevent underage gambling and other crimes, some casinos have security cameras positioned throughout the building. Some casinos have catwalks in the ceiling above the games, which allow surveillance personnel to look down directly on patrons from a safe distance.
Because casinos involve large amounts of money, cheating and theft are commonplace. To reduce these dangers, most casinos employ one or more staff members whose job it is to spot and stop suspicious activity. They may also employ game analysis specialists, who calculate the house edge and variance of their games.
In 2005, 23% of American adults reported visiting a casino in the past year. The average casino visit lasted for two hours, and most participants reported spending less than $21. The largest casino demographic was females between the ages of forty-five and fifty, who tend to have more disposable income and vacation time than other age groups.