The casino is the place where gamblers put up money to bet on the outcome of a game of chance. While casinos may add a variety of other attractions such as restaurants, stage shows and dramatic scenery to attract customers, they are fundamentally places where gambling is the primary activity. Casinos generate most of their profits from games of chance such as slot machines, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and craps.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice among the oldest archaeological remains. The modern casino was conceived during the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. Until then, the idea of a central location where people could find a wide variety of gambling activities under one roof was not practical or common.
Today’s casinos are designed to maximize revenue through customer service and incentives. They offer a variety of perks such as free hotel rooms, meals and show tickets to encourage patrons to spend more time gambling. They also reward loyal players with “comps” that can include limo service and airline tickets.
While casinos try to draw in as many customers as possible, they are most profitable with the high rollers. These are people who make large bets, often in the tens of thousands of dollars. They are largely ignored by most of the casino’s staff and play in special rooms away from the main floor. According to a 2005 survey conducted by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, the typical American casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with above-average income.