What Is a Casino?

A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Many casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are operated by governments, while others are private enterprises. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state and local laws. Some casinos are also located on American Indian reservations and are not subject to state anti-gambling laws.

While the stereotype of a casino might be of a seedy backroom gambling parlor where criminals hang out, most modern casinos are clean, well-lit and safe. While some crime still takes place around casinos, it is rare and the police are usually close by. Many casinos also have security guards and monitor their parking lots. In general, patrons are well-behaved and respectful of each other.

Proponents of casinos often point to a lower local unemployment rate after a casino opens as evidence that the casino improves local employment. However, it is important to compare this change with the overall statewide or national change over the same period. It may be that the lower local unemployment rate is just a natural business cycle effect and has nothing to do with the introduction of the casino.