A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment for games of chance and skill. Casino games include card and table games such as blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette, as well as video slot machines and other electronic gaming devices. Licensed casinos pay billions of dollars each year in taxes and fees to state and local governments. This revenue benefits businesses, investors, and Native American tribes. In addition, casinos provide jobs and entertainment for millions of people. Many Americans visit casinos regularly. In 2008, 24% of adults reported having visited a casino in the previous year.
Most casino games are based on luck, but some have an element of skill. A large percentage of all casino profits come from slot machines, which are the most popular gambling games. Other popular games include roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. Casinos often feature live entertainment and other special events.
Casinos go to great lengths to persuade gamblers to play their games. They use color and light, music, and scents to create an atmosphere that is enticing to patrons. Casino walls are frequently painted in bright, sometimes gaudy colors that are believed to stimulate the senses and boost the gambling mood. There are usually no clocks on casino walls to distract customers from thinking about the passing of time. Elaborate surveillance systems provide a high-tech eye-in-the-sky that can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons.
The casino industry has a number of ethical problems. Some of the more serious involve underage gambling and compulsive gamblers. Other ethical concerns involve the use of illegal drugs and the effect of casino gambling on the family and community.
