A casino is a place that houses gambling activities. It also provides a variety of entertainment options to its patrons. Among these entertainment options are stage shows, restaurants and free drinks. However, these luxuries are not the core of casinos. Gambling is the primary activity that draws in people to casinos.
While casino-goers are lured by lavish hotels, lighted fountains and shopping centers, the billions in profits that casinos bring in every year come primarily from games of chance such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps. These are played either on the floor of the casino or at a table. Table games are usually accompanied by a dealer and require a special set of rules that must be followed.
Unlike Internet gambling and lottery games, which involve a one-to-one interaction with the gamer, casino gaming relies on the social aspect of gambling to attract gamblers. Players are seated around a table in poker and other games, or surrounded by other gamblers on the casino floor. In these settings, patrons shout encouragement and clap to cheer on their fellow gamblers. Waiters circulate with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
In addition to creating a social environment, casinos rely on customer service and other marketing strategies to encourage gambling. For example, many casinos offer loyalty bonuses, which reward frequent players with free items such as buffet passes, hotel stays and show tickets. These promotions are designed to increase the amount of money gamblers spend at a casino and help to offset the cost of attracting new customers.