A casino, also known as a gaming house or gambling establishment, is an institution where people can gamble. Casinos are usually located near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and entertainment venues. Some casinos specialize in certain types of games, such as poker or horse racing. They may also offer a variety of other games, such as baccarat and roulette.
Some of the world’s most famous casinos include the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Monte-Carlo Casino in Monaco and the Casino Lisboa in Lisbon. They are known for their luxurious amenities, including accommodations and high-end dining. The famous fountain show at the Bellagio has been featured in many movies and is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Sin City.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, there are many opportunities for cheating and stealing to occur. To reduce these risks, most casinos employ a number of security measures. For example, some have catwalks built into the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one-way glass, at the players at tables and slot machines. Additionally, casinos use bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings to stimulate the senses of their patrons. Some even use the color red, which is thought to make people lose track of time.
In general, most casino gamblers are middle-class people who are over the age of forty. This demographic is attractive to casinos because they have the leisure time and disposable income to gamble. According to Harrah’s Entertainment, in 2005 the average casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female with a household income above the national median.