It should be no surprise that people come to Las Vegas to wager. For years, Nevada was the only state in the US to allow for legal gambling and as a result, the industry was quickly developed. Today, a large portion of the gaming community is located in the casinos housed in the enormous resort hotels that line "The Strip". The casinos along the Strip are mind-boggling in both their size and sophistication of operation. However, you can find spots to gamble all over Las Vegas. In fact, those who take their wagering seriously generally avoid the strip and head to the smaller casinos downtown. While there may not be as much atmosphere, all the necessary ingredients are still there, without the hype and the pressure - and the tables are generally cheaper.
By the way, hotels generally reward those who gamble a great deal with complimentary meals, drinks and even suites. You don't need to be a millionaire to be "comped"; just make sure that you are introduced to a casino host and that you register at every table you play. The casino will track your activity and "reward" you as you continue to wager in their facility. Therefore, it is advantageous to find one casino and stick with it.