In 2002, 51 million people visited casinos domestically (that’s about a quarter of the population over 21). From the twinkling lights and high ceilings of Vegas to the illegal pai gow parlors in New York City’s Chinatown, human beings love to gamble. It’s a form of escapism, and the thrill of losing money and the rush of winning can help to relieve stress. Gambling is also a social activity that can foster friendships.
Many casinos use special lighting, pleasant scents, and other visual media to make players feel at home. The calming effect of these features helps keep gamblers from feeling overwhelmed by their surroundings, making them more likely to play longer. Casinos also offer comp programs that reward frequent visitors by increasing their betting limits and payouts, which encourages them to keep coming back.
When gambling is legal, casinos bring in a lot of money. They can increase the wages in surrounding communities and decrease unemployment rates. These benefits are a result of the fact that a large number of highly skilled workers move into the area to work at the casino. These workers bring with them a higher standard of living, and they tend to attract other skilled workers to the region. These positive economic effects are often cited as evidence that casinos do provide significant economic benefits for their surrounding communities.