What Is a Casino?

A casino is a place where gambling is the primary activity and many other luxuries are added to create an experience. Some of the most luxurious casinos include restaurants, free drinks and stage shows but there have been many less extravagant places that housed gambling activities and would be considered a casino. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this type of business is 713210.

A number of factors contribute to the success or failure of a casino. One of the most important factors is security. A casino must be a safe environment for patrons and employees to ensure everyone is having a fun time. Casinos employ a variety of measures to prevent crime and keep people safe, including physical security forces and sophisticated surveillance systems. Dealers watch their games closely for blatant cheating like palming, marking and switching cards or dice. Elaborate surveillance systems provide an “eye-in-the-sky” view of the entire casino floor and can be focused on specific suspicious patrons.

Gambling is a popular pastime for many Americans. In fact, according to a poll conducted by the Gallup Organization in 2003, 30% of all adults have visited a casino. Casinos go to great lengths to lure gamblers into their facilities and keep them gambling for as long as possible. They invest millions in research to learn what colors, sounds and scents attract and appeal to gamblers. Casinos also spend millions on marketing and promotion to keep their name in the public eye.