A casino is a gambling establishment that offers patrons a wide variety of games of chance, and often also offers food, drinks, and entertainment. Modern casinos have a significant focus on security, both to protect their patrons and their assets. They usually have a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department.

Historically, casinos have been associated with organized crime, as mobster money helped them become profitable businesses in cities like Reno and Las Vegas. But as the casino business evolved, real estate investors and hotel chains realized they had more money than the mobsters did, and that they could run casinos without the mob’s interference. They bought the mobsters out, and now most casinos are owned by legitimate businessmen.

Casinos have a variety of ways to attract customers, including free shows and other events, and the use of bright colors that are thought to stimulate the senses. Some casinos don’t even have clocks on their walls because they think that people who are gambling lose track of time and are more likely to spend more than they intend.

The typical casino customer is a middle-aged woman from an upper-class family who works in a profession that pays well. She’s married and has children, but she’s also a big gambler. She loves playing slots, but doesn’t like the more sexy table games. She also enjoys the excitement of a live show. According to a 2005 study by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, the average casino customer is a forty-six-year-old female with above-average income.