A casino is an establishment for gambling. Generally, the games played in a casino include table and card games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, and baccarat. The casino may also offer other popular activities such as sports betting and horse racing. In some casinos, a player places bets by pushing buttons on a machine that displays the game results. In other games, the player interacts with another player or with a dealer. The ambiance of a casino is designed around noise, light, and excitement.
A large amount of currency passes through the casinos, and both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal in order to increase their winnings. For this reason, casinos have very high security measures. They often monitor both employees and patrons to prevent cheating, in collusion or independently. They also have special gambling rooms for high-rollers, who are given perks such as free drinks and rooms, discounted travel packages and tickets to shows.
In the past, casino ownership was controlled by organized crime. However, real estate developers and hotel chains realized the potential profits and bought out the gangsters. Now, mob-free casinos are common. While gambling revenue contributes to a local economy, the cost of treating problem gamblers and the loss of productivity by those addicted to gambling far outweigh any gains from casinos. In 2005, the typical American casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with an above-average income. This age group is also more likely to have a college degree than others.