A casino is a facility where people can gamble and play games of chance. Typically, these establishments offer blackjack, poker, roulette, and slot machines. They can be found combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions.
In 2002, the American Gaming Association estimated that 51 million people visited casinos in the United States. These visitors are a diverse group. From the glittering lights of Las Vegas to the illegal pai gow parlors in New York City’s Chinatown, casino patrons have many choices.
Casinos are carefully designed to influence the behavior of their visitors. From the bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings to the lack of clocks on casino walls, every element is designed to make you stay longer and keep playing. Even the scents used are carefully thought out, with orange and menthol cigarettes being especially effective.
The odds for each game in a casino are stacked in favor of the house. No matter how lucky you feel, or how much money you’re winning, you can’t beat the odds. That’s why it’s important to be honest with your guests. Explain that math isn’t their friend and they should be prepared to walk out with less money in their wallets than when they entered.
