A casino is a gambling establishment where people can wager money on games of chance. These facilities may also offer restaurants, bars, and entertainment. They may be located in a hotel, on a cruise ship, or on a separate property. Some casinos specialize in particular kinds of games, such as roulette or poker. Others, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, offer a wide variety of activities, including floor shows and luxury spa services.
Because large amounts of money are handled within casinos, both patrons and staff can be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. This is why casinos invest a huge amount of time, effort and money into security. Many casinos have elaborate surveillance systems, which give a high-tech eye-in-the-sky view of the entire facility. Casinos also have rules that prohibit certain types of behavior.
In 2005 the average casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. They spent an average of $2,000 per visit. They visited the casino an average of once a month. These figures are based on results of face-to-face interviews with 2,000 American adults conducted for Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS.
Until the late twentieth century, casino gambling was illegal in most states. However, some American Indian reservations were permitted to operate casinos and other types of gambling establishments, and they attracted a lot of visitors from other parts of the country. Other states eventually legalized casino gambling as well, and the industry grew rapidly.