A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. These places are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions, and they may be located in cities, towns, or even on cruise ships. In the United States, casinos are most commonly found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. However, a growing number are appearing in other major cities and on Native American reservations. Casinos are owned by private corporations, investment banks, and individual investors, and they also generate billions of dollars in revenue each year for the state, local, and tribal governments that permit them.
Because casino games involve large amounts of money and a variety of people, security is an important consideration. Modern casinos use cameras and other technology to monitor patrons and games, and they generally have a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. Some casinos also employ a number of janitorial and maintenance employees to keep the premises clean and safe.
The design of a casino is meant to appeal to patrons and keep them betting, with lush carpeting and other expensive details aiming to create an air of luxury. Casinos also try to minimize patrons’ awareness of the passage of time, with carefully designed lighting and music. Many casino designers are former architects, interior decorators, or other design professionals with experience in the building industry. Despite their appeal, studies show that casinos usually bring less than a trickle of economic benefits to the communities where they are located. The high cost of treating problem gamblers, for example, more than offsets any gains from tax revenues or jobs created by the casino itself.