What Are Casino Amenities?

A casino is a place where people gamble and play games of chance. These establishments add a host of amenities to their gambling activities to make them more attractive to patrons, including restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. There are more than 3,000 casinos worldwide. Most of them are legal, though some are not. In the United States, the majority are on Indian reservations, where they are not subject to state anti-gambling laws. Many other countries permit casinos on their territory.

Many casinos offer comps, or complimentary goods or services, to their high-spending patrons. This is an important marketing tool and a way to keep track of patrons’ spending habits. These programs are similar to airline frequent-flyer programs. Gamblers who swipe a card while they play are tracked by casino computers and can earn points that can be exchanged for free food, drinks or show tickets. Casinos also tally up the total amount of money players spend at each game and in each casino.

Because large amounts of cash are handled by both patrons and employees, casinos have security measures in place. Cameras located throughout the casino help spot any suspicious behavior. In addition, most casinos have strict rules about who can play and will not allow anyone who has appeared on a state or casino self-exclusion list to gamble. Many casinos also use bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings that stimulate the senses and inspire excitement.