A casino is a gambling establishment that offers various games of chance for money. Some casinos offer a mix of both skill-based and luck-based games such as blackjack, video poker, and roulette. In the United States, many states have legalized casinos and they often serve as tourist attractions and entertainment centers for locals.
Although most casinos are operated by independent business people, some are owned by organized crime figures. Mobster money flowed steadily into casinos in Nevada as they sought ways to diversify their income from illegal rackets. These mobster-run casinos lacked the seamy image of other types of businesses and drew crowds from around the country and world.
In the 21st century, casinos are choosier about which gamblers they accept. They concentrate their investments on high bettors who make large amounts of money. These high rollers are offered extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment, transportation, and elegant living quarters. Even lesser bettors are enticed with discounts on hotel rooms, food, drinks and cigarettes while gambling. This type of customer service is known as comps.
Casinos are designed to appeal to the senses of sight, touch, and sound. Bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings such as red are used to attract attention and increase gambling revenue. Some casinos are lit with thousands of miles of neon tubing to enhance the appearance and attract customers. A casino can be a very noisy place, but earplugs are available for those who wish to sleep while gambling.