The word casino usually brings to mind a Las Vegas megaresort filled with neon lights and fun, but casinos come in all shapes and sizes. From the illegal pai gow parlors of New York to the gambling halls of the Chinese in Seattle, casinos attract millions of gamblers every year. Whether you’re a high roller or a casual gamer, it’s important to understand that the odds are always stacked in favor of the house.
Casinos rake in billions of dollars each year for the corporations, investors, and Native American tribes that own them, and state and local governments reap substantial tax revenues. Even the smallest casinos make money by charging admission and collecting a percentage of all bets. Because of this virtual assurance of gross profit, casinos regularly offer big bettors extravagant inducements like free spectacular entertainment, travel, hotel rooms, and limo service.
Something about gambling encourages people to cheat, steal, and scam their way into a winning hand. This is why casinos spend so much time, effort, and money on security. Elaborate surveillance systems are designed to provide a “eye in the sky” view of every table, window, and doorway.
According to a survey conducted by Gemini Research for the Nevada Department of Human Resources, when asked which games they most liked to play, most people (50%) indicated that they preferred slot machines. The next most popular games were card games (20%), and other table games (10%) and bingo and keno each garnered only 6% of the response.