A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. While a casino can offer many luxuries to attract patrons such as musical shows, fountains, elaborate theme parks and shopping centers, its primary revenue is still from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, keno and craps are all popular gambling activities in casinos.

Most casino gambling is done by people with above-average incomes, who have free time and vacation opportunities. In 2005, the average casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female with an above-average income. People with lower incomes may choose to bet on sports events or play video poker, but they do not make up a significant portion of the casino gambling population.

To maximize revenue, casinos often employ a variety of marketing and customer service strategies. For example, they often give away free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets and even limo services to “good” players. This is called comping.

Gambling was illegal in America until the 1980s, when several states passed laws to legalize it. Before then, many casinos were owned by organized crime figures who used their proceeds from smuggling, drugs and extortion to bankroll the gambling operations in Reno and Las Vegas. The mobsters’ presence and the seamy image of gambling contributed to the casinos’ tainted reputation. Consequently, legitimate businessmen were reluctant to invest in the industry until it was made legal.