Casinos are often busy, noisy places. In European casinos, the quieter games, such as roulette and blackjack, are the most popular; while in the USA, slot machines and craps are favored. On roulette frenzied betting is interspersed with calm as players watch the wheel to see the winning number. By contrast the craps tables are the noisiest in the casinos, with players cheering and shouting and constant commentary from the stickman (see tutorial). The card tables tend to be more sedate, with players concentrating on the hands they have been dealt.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the gaming halls, most casinos have private rooms (called "salons prives") to cater for the high-staking players who prefer to bet in a secluded environment.

Resort casinos, and most US casinos, are usually part of large leisure complexes that include hotels, restaurants and a range of entertainment and sports facilities. The gaming floors are often huge, with row upon row of slot machines, including linked machines promising huge jackpot payouts. They have separate rooms or areas for keno (which is played in a theatre-like arena), and baccarat, which attracts big spenders. Most casinos in Europe tend to be small intimate club-style establishments, and are often located in or near the center of the city.

The first area encountered on a visit to a casino is the lobby or entrance hall. Here reception personnel provide information and assistance to visitors and deal with any membership formalities. At some casinos car jockeys ("valets") take care of parking, while at others, huge parking lots may be located some way from the complex, with visitors transported via shuttle-bus or monorail. Cloakrooms or lockers may be provided to take care of coats and valuables.
Electronic items like mobile phones, computers, calculators and radios are not allowed on the gaming floor. Taking photographs is also not permitted.

To reach the gaming tables, players generally have to pass through the noisy, vibrant slot machine area. Slots are easy to play, and the stakes tend to be low, so the slot halls usually are crowded. Flashing lights, bells and sirens, and the clatter of coins being paid out all add to the excitement. All types of mechanical and electronic games, from the old-fashioned one-armed bandits to video poker, can be played, and interactive video games are becoming increasingly available.
The main gaming halls are lavishly decorated, often to a theme, but the focal points are the green or blue baize-covered tables, which are printed with betting layouts. Seating for players is provided around the tables, which are arranged in groups, called "pits".

A croupier (dealer) runs the game at each table, and groups of tables are watched over by inspectors. Pens and papers are supplied for players to note the numbers spun on roulette, although nowadays, electronic signs at each roulette table indicated the last numbers spun.

The Bookie

Casinos in the USA often incorporate bookmakers. Called the race and sports book, the "bookies" take bets on horse racing, greyhound racing and sporting events from around the world. Satellite broadcasts of major events are shown on huge screens, allowing players to watch in a theatre-like environment.

At the cash-point ("the cage"), in the main gaming area, a variety of financial transactions is carried out, such as cashing cheques (checks), applying for credit, exchanging money for chips and cashing in winnings. Players can use local or foreign currency, or traveller's cheques to purchase chips. Some casinos accept foreign currencies at the gaming tables, but most require money to be exchanged beforehand at the cash point.

Credit cards are not always readily accepted and the amounts that can be cashed on them are limited. Where casinos allow credit betting, applications can be made at the cash point, or in advance by phone, post or e-mail. Most casinos now have ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) located near the cash point.

Private rooms, called "salons prives" in Europe, are found mostly in the higher staking casinos and are reserved for medium to high-staking players, allowing them to bet in a more secluded environment away from spectators. Private rooms, which are staffed by the casino's most experienced dealers, contain tables for games like roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Favored customers, the really high rollers, are often afforded the privacy of a totally private room for their exclusive use.