From the flashy casinos in Las Vegas to the illegal pai gow parlors of New York’s Chinatown, gambling attracts people from around the world. While musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels help draw the crowds, casino owners are counting on games of chance to provide the billions in profits they are raking in each year. This article will take a look at what makes a casino, how it stays safe and the dark side of the business.
Casinos are social spaces. People interact with other people while playing cards, baccarat, keno, blackjack and roulette. Players shout encouragement to their friends and opponents. Alcoholic drinks are readily available and delivered to the tables by waiters who circulate throughout the casino. Many casinos use the color red to create a stimulating and cheering environment. In addition, there are usually no clocks in a casino because they want customers to lose track of time and stay longer.
Most casino games have a mathematically determined advantage for the house, which can be less than two percent of the total amount wagered. This is called the house edge and it is how casinos make money from the millions of bets placed each year. Casinos also collect a small commission on video poker and other electronic games, which is called the vig or the rake.
Casinos often give free goods and services to regular patrons, known as comps. These can include show tickets, free hotel rooms and reduced-fare transportation and food. Some casinos even give their top gamblers private jets.
