A casino (also called a gambling house or gaming room) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. In the United States, the term is usually affixed to facilities that have been licensed or regulated by state governments.
Successful casinos bring in billions of dollars for companies, investors, and Native American tribes. In addition, they contribute to tourism and provide jobs. However, critics point out that casino revenues take money away from other entertainment options and hurt local businesses. Moreover, they say that compulsive gamblers drain public coffers and reduce family incomes, and that the costs of treatment and lost workplace productivity offset any gains.
In the past, organized crime provided much of the capital for new casinos. Mobster money flowed into Reno and Las Vegas, and mafia figures took sole or partial ownership of some casinos. This tainted the image of the industry and caused legitimate businessmen to be wary of investing their funds in such enterprises.
Today’s casinos have a more refined image and offer sophisticated amenities for their patrons. For example, many have a “catwalk” in the ceiling that allows surveillance workers to look down on the tables and slot machines through one-way glass. This system is in addition to the regular cameras that monitor activity in and around the games.
The typical casino gambler is a middle-aged female with above-average income from a stable household. In 2005, this demographic accounted for 23% of casino patrons, according to the Roper Reports GfK NOP and U.S. Gaming Panel research.