A casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. It is also a place where other types of entertainment are offered such as stage shows, restaurants and free drinks.
A typical casino has a very loud and crowded atmosphere, especially during peak hours. Its decorations are usually red, which is believed to make players more excited and lose track of time. The lights are very bright and there is no clock on the wall to prevent players from keeping track of the passage of time.
Chip: Tokens (usually in the form of round plastic discs) of various denominations used to make bets. Casino chips have a green back and are printed with the denomination on each side. Casino chips are worth more than paper money, but less than real gold. They are also often referred to as tokens or credits.
Table game: A casino game played on a table which is normally designed for that particular game and is run by a croupier or dealer. Table games include blackjack, craps, roulette and baccarat.
Comp: A free good or service given by a casino to a player, often based on the amount of money they spend. This can include food, hotel rooms, tickets to shows and even limo service and airline tickets. Casinos often comp players who are big spenders and play long hours.
Gambling in some form has been a part of nearly every society throughout history, from the primitive Mesopotamian wheel to modern slot machines and poker. It became a popular pastime in the United States after World War II, when many states changed their antigambling laws to allow it. Nevada is the biggest gambling hub in the country, followed by Atlantic City, New Jersey and Chicago. Some casinos are located on American Indian reservations and are not subject to state gambling laws.