A casino is a gambling establishment where people can play games of chance. While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers all draw in the crowds, casinos would not exist without games of chance such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and keno. These games provide the billions of dollars in profits raked in every year by casinos.
In 2005, the typical casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above average income. According to research conducted by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, these individuals made up 23% of all casino gamblers. Casinos also appeal to older adults, a group that makes up the largest segment of the market. These gamblers often have more vacation time and available spending money than younger individuals.
Casinos are often decorated with bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings. They are designed to be a stimulating and cheering environment, and there are no clocks on the walls so that gamblers do not lose track of time. The use of the color red is especially important to create this effect. In addition to a lively atmosphere, casinos employ high-tech security measures such as cameras and monitors to detect suspicious activity.
Many casinos also feature a variety of table games, with baccarat and trente et quarante (seventeen and a half) being the principal gambling games in France. Other popular casino card games include pai gow poker, blackjack and keno. In games like baccarat and poker, the house takes advantage of its position by taking a share of the bets or charging an hourly fee for playing.