When most people think of a Casino they picture a giant hotel and entertainment complex like Las Vegas, with bright lights and plenty of fun and games. But in reality, casinos can be much smaller establishments defined more by the types of gambling they offer than by their glitz and glamour.

Casinos are commercial businesses that make billions each year for the owners, shareholders, investors and Native American tribes. They also rake in millions of dollars in taxes, fees and other payments for state and local governments. The most successful casinos focus their investments on high-stakes gamblers, who are rewarded with free luxury suites and other amenities.

According to a study conducted for the American Gaming Association by Peter D. Hart Research Associates and Luntz Research Companies, in 2002, the average casino patron is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. The majority of respondents go to the casino with family and friends. And almost half feel that casino gambling is socially acceptable.

Casinos use many strategies to lure patrons and keep them gambling. For example, slot machines are arranged in a mazelike fashion so that wandering patrons are constantly enticed with more gambling options. In addition, slot machine noises are electronically tuned to the musical key of C in order to be pleasing to the ear and blend in with the ambient noise. Casino employees have good insight into which machines are the most profitable and may be willing to share this information for a tip.