A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance or skill. Casinos can range from massive resorts to small card rooms. People can also find casino-type machines in bars, restaurants and truck stops. Casinos bring in billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors and Native American tribes that own and operate them. However, some studies indicate that casinos actually reduce local economic activity by attracting out-of-town tourists and diverting spending from other entertainment options. In addition, the cost of treating problem gambling addictions cancels out much of the profit that casinos generate.
Casinos are built on the premise that gambling is fun and that luck, more than skill, determines the outcome of a game. This is why casinos feature dazzling lights, flashy furniture and eye-catching art installations. They also avoid putting clocks on the walls, which are believed to confuse customers and cause them to lose track of time. In fact, there is a reason why many casino owners like to decorate in bright and sometimes garish red: research has shown that it is a color that stimulates the emotions and increases gambling excitement.
Initially, casino gambling was dominated by organized crime syndicates that pumped money into Reno and Las Vegas, helping them to overcome their seamy image. But as real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets got involved, mob control waned. And today, federal anti-racketeering laws and the threat of losing a gaming license at even the faintest hint of mafia involvement mean that legitimate casino businesses keep getting cleaner and safer.