A casino, also known as a gambling house, is an establishment where people can gamble. Some casinos offer a variety of different games, while others specialize in one or more particular types of games. Casinos can be found in the United States, as well as other countries around the world.
Most casino games are based on chance, but some have an element of skill. Players bet against the house, and the house takes a percentage of each bet. The percentage taken by the casino is called the house edge. Some games have an even greater advantage for the house, such as roulette and blackjack. Casinos can also give out free items to players, called comps. These can include hotel rooms, dinners, show tickets and limo service. The type and amount of free goods offered to players depends on how much money they spend at the casino.
In 2005, Harrah’s Entertainment reported that the typical casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female with above average income. The company surveyed face-to-face and telephone interviews with 2,000 adult Americans.
Although many people associate casinos with Las Vegas, there are far more casinos in the United States than in Nevada alone. Several cities that were not traditionally gambling centers now have large casinos, such as Atlantic City, New Jersey and Chicago. The reason that casinos are located in these places is because of their proximity to the large markets for casino gambling. Also, the cities themselves are often known for other reasons, such as tourism and entertainment, which help drive gambling revenue.