The word casino may conjure images of Las Vegas or other glamorous destinations, but according to Merriam-Webster’s definition, a casino is simply “a building or room used for social amusement, especially gambling.” That’s because, unlike lotteries and Internet gambling, where patrons bet against each other, casino games are games in which players directly interact with each other. They also involve a degree of skill and strategy. Casinos can be massive resorts, like those in Las Vegas, or small card rooms. There are even floating casinos on boats or barges, and slot machines at racetracks and at truck stops.
As businesses, casinos have a legal obligation to maximize their profits. To that end, they often offer big bettors extravagant inducements in the form of free spectacular entertainment, luxury transportation and deluxe living quarters. They also monitor their games carefully. For example, blackjack tables have built-in microcircuitry that enable them to oversee bets minute by minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover statistical deviations quickly.
Many of the same factors that make casino gambling attractive to some people make it harmful to others. In addition to the obvious dangers of addiction, casino gambling can lead to crime and other problems in society. It can also harm property values in surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, one reason why many states are now limiting casino gambling is because it harms local communities.