A casino is a gambling establishment, where patrons can gamble with money or other value. Many casinos also offer other services such as food and drink, hotel accommodations, and entertainment. The profitability of a casino depends on its location, type of games offered, and reputation. Casinos compete not only with each other, but also with non-gambling resorts, online gaming, and private gambling businesses.
Beneath the twinkly lights and free cocktails, casinos are engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. But how do they get otherwise rational people — people who work hard for their money and make reasoned financial decisions on a daily basis — to throw hundreds or even thousands of dollars away based on the literal roll of a dice, spin of a wheel, or drawing of cards?