A casino, from Latin kasina, is a building or room used for social amusements, specifically gambling. In American usage, the word is most often applied to large hotels and entertainment complexes in Las Vegas or other major urban centers where gambling is legalized. However, casinos can also be found in smaller cities and towns.
In addition to providing games of chance, casinos offer food, drink, and entertainment, as well as hotel rooms. They may be regulated by government agencies to ensure fair play and customer safety. Casinos are often protected by security cameras, and patrons are encouraged to wear visible identification at all times. In addition, casino employees are trained to spot cheating or stealing by players or by other staff.
The vast majority of gamblers are happy with their gambling experience. In a poll conducted for the American Gaming Association by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. and the Luntz Research Companies, 92% of respondents indicated that they go to a casino for fun and excitement. Many casinos are arranged in a mazelike fashion to provide patrons with continuous enticements. Slot machines are programmed to appeal to the senses of sight and sound, with lights and bells. Their sounds are electronically tuned to a musical key (usually C) to make them pleasant to the ear and blend with the ambient noise of the casino.
In the same poll, respondents were asked which types of games they enjoyed most. The largest percentage indicated that they liked to play slot machines. Card games, such as poker and blackjack, followed closely in popularity. Bingo and keno were far less popular. In general, most gamblers prefer games with a higher degree of skill than chance.