A casino, from the Latin cais, meaning “a grove or enclosure,” is a building or room used for social amusements, specifically gambling. When most people think of a casino, they picture one of the megaresorts in Las Vegas—a massive hotel and entertainment complex blazing with neon lights, fun, and games. But according to Merriam-Webster, a casino is much more than that: “an establishment for certain types of gambling.”
Most casinos offer a wide range of games such as roulette, blackjack, poker, and craps. They may also have a variety of other entertainment options such as restaurants, shows, and shops. Some are integrated into vacation packages offered by hotels, making them even more attractive to visitors.
The most popular gambling games in casinos are slot machines, which attract the largest percentage of gamblers, followed by card games. Table games, keno, and gambling on sporting/racing events each attract less than 10 percent of the total number of gamblers. A survey conducted by the American Gaming Association in 2002 found that the majority of respondents felt that casino gambling was enjoyable for them and their families, and most of them were willing to go as a group or with family and friends.
To make sure that they keep their patrons happy and interested, casinos use many techniques to stimulate the senses. The colors, lights, and scents inside the buildings are carefully chosen to appeal to the senses of customers. In the case of slot machines, bells, whistles, and the “cling clang” sound of coins dropping are added to create an atmosphere of excitement and fun.