A casino is a place to try your luck at games of chance. While musical shows, shopping centers and elaborate hotel themes may help draw in customers, the billions of dollars in profits raked in by casinos every year come from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, keno and poker make up the bulk of casino games.
A large part of casino marketing involves customer service, and many casinos offer perks to encourage gamblers to spend more money. Free food, drinks and rooms are frequently offered to high-volume players. These are called “comps.” In the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos were famous for their deep discounts on travel packages and cheap buffets, which were designed to maximize gambling revenue by filling the rooms and casino floor with people.
Another part of casino marketing is ensuring that the gambling experience is as safe as possible. Security starts on the casino floor, where employees keep their eyes on patrons and games to spot blatant cheating, such as palming or marking cards. Table managers and pit bosses also watch over the tables, looking for betting patterns that could signal cheating.
Some argue that casino revenues actually detract from a community’s overall welfare, because they shift spending away from other forms of entertainment and can lead to gambling addiction. In addition, the cost of treating problem gamblers can offset any economic benefits casinos may provide. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that casinos are an integral part of many communities.