When the words casino are spoken, images of bright lights and big money come to mind. Whether it’s the flashy casinos of Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi or tiny mountain towns whose 19th century Wild West buildings house slot machines and poker tables, gambling has always been a popular pastime for Americans.

Although casinos are filled with luxuries like free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery, they are primarily businesses that offer the chance to win money by wagering on games of chance. Every game that a casino offers has a built in mathematical advantage, and the house edge is what earns casinos their profit margin. It can be less than two percent, but over millions of bets it adds up.

That’s why casinos offer lavish inducements to big bettors, including free spectacular entertainment, luxury transportation and elegant living quarters. Even lesser bettors are offered reduced-fare transportation, hotel rooms and complimentary drinks and cigarettes while gambling.

But there’s a lot more to gambling than just winning money. It has been shown to improve a variety of mental skills, from sharpening math talents to enhancing pattern recognition. It also teaches the importance of patience and perseverance, and helps keep one’s mental health in check. And it can be fun, as long as you gamble responsibly and within your means.