A casino is a gambling establishment where players can gamble money or other items of value on games of chance or skill. These activities take place in massive resort casinos as well as in smaller card rooms and gaming arcades. In addition, casino-style games are often found at racetracks and on barges on waterways, and casino-type games are sometimes incorporated into amusement parks and even family entertainment centers. Casinos generate billions of dollars in revenue each year for owners, investors, and state and local governments.
In 2005, the average casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with an above-average income. This demographic accounted for over 23% of all casino gamblers, according to data collected by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS. Casinos use several methods to protect their patrons from cheating and other types of misbehavior. In addition to video surveillance, some casinos employ catwalks above the casino floor that allow security personnel to look directly down through one-way glass at the table and machine activities below.
Some casinos are so famous that they can be recognized by their name alone, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which has become synonymous with elegance and sophistication. Others are renowned for their spectacular architecture or lavish amenities, such as the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco or Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Still others are known for their celebrity clientele or high-stakes gambling.