Casino reveals the story of a decade when mob control of Vegas was replaced by gambling corporations minting money in the billions. It also explains how casinos went from glamorous locations like Venice to the modern strip.

Most casino games are pure chance, although some have a degree of skill. Casinos make their profits from the difference between the house edge and the expected value of each wager, or the total amount won by players divided by the number of bets placed. Casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers to calculate house edges and variance for every game.

Customers enter casino floors to try their luck at games ranging from poker to roulette and blackjack. The atmosphere is typically flashy and opulent, with upbeat music playing. People may be chatting with fellow gamblers, sipping cocktails or watching the action at one of the table games.

Many casinos reward their big spenders with free goods and services, or comps. Depending on the casino, these can include limo service, rooms and meals. Generally, the higher a gambler’s play level is, the more likely they are to receive comps.

Marketers often rely on demographic data when targeting their audience, such as age, income and education. While these are helpful, they can also be misleading. For example, a group of women might be a demographic, but they could be visiting on a business trip, attending a bachelorette party or celebrating a friend’s wedding. These audiences require different strategies to reach them.