A casino is a gambling establishment, with the vast majority of its revenue (and profits) coming from games of chance. Although musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers are often associated with casinos, the fact remains that slot machines, poker, blackjack, roulette and craps are what bring in the crowds and generate billions in profit each year for casino owners. This article will examine how a casino earns its money, the most popular casino games and their history, and what you can expect when you visit one.
While casino games may seem to be based purely on luck, the truth is that the house always wins. This is because most casino games have a mathematical advantage, or expected value, built in that ensures that the house will win the game, regardless of how many patrons play it or what their bet size may be. This advantage is sometimes referred to as the house edge.
This mathematic advantage allows the casino to operate with virtual assurance of gross profit, and as a result, it is extremely rare for a casino to lose money on any particular game. In order to keep its profit margin as high as possible, the casino will offer a wide range of complimentary goods and services to big bettors. These are called comps, and they can include free show tickets, hotel rooms, meals, limo service, airline tickets and even cash back on lost bets. To receive these, a gambler must ask a casino employee for a comp card and play at the appropriate level of table or slot machine to qualify.
Casinos are typically located in or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy, concerts and sports events. Some are renowned for their lavishness, with opulent decor and high-tech amenities. Others are less opulent, with more of a run-down, old-fashioned gambling joint appearance. In either case, the ambiance is designed to create an exciting, upscale experience for those who gamble there.
Initially, most state governments prohibited gambling, leaving it to cities such as Reno and Las Vegas to lure gamblers with flashy, glamorous casinos. Many of these were funded by organized crime, which had a steady supply of cash from illegal drug dealing and extortion schemes. Mobster money gave casinos a tainted image, and it wasn’t until the 1950s that legitimate businessmen began taking interest in the industry.
Casinos can be found around the world, with most of them operating in areas where gaming is legal. The top-ranked location for a casino is Macau, which is considered the gambling capital of the world and generates over $13 billion per year in revenue. In second place is Sun City Resort in Rustenburg, South Africa, which features a casino with over 400 tables and 2,500 slot and video poker machines. It is modeled after a high-class establishment on the French Riviera, and gamblers are required to wear shirts and shoes while inside.