A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. Casinos often offer lavish luxuries in addition to gambling, including restaurants, free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery. The term casino can also refer to a specific type of table game, such as blackjack or video poker.
In the United States about 51 million people—a quarter of those over the age of 21—visited a casino in 2002. These visitors spent $25.7 billion. Casinos make money by taking a small percentage of every bet, which can be as little as two percent. This money, in turn, allows casinos to build elaborate hotels, fountains, towers and replicas of famous monuments.
The casino business is booming, but many of the largest casinos have come under threat from new competitors that have focused on offering an all-around gambling experience. For example, the Bellagio in Las Vegas is famous for its dancing fountains and luxurious accommodations. Its fame helped the casino become a popular destination for both tourists and high-stakes gamblers. It also made it a natural choice for the film Ocean’s 11.
Some casinos have even focused on customer service, giving out free goods and services to “good” players, or those who spend the most time and money at their tables and slots. This is known as comping. During the 1970s many Vegas casinos offered discounted travel packages and cheap buffet food to lure in as many gamblers as possible.