A casino is a collection of gambling rooms where patrons can try their luck at slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and other games of chance. Musical shows, glitzy hotels and shopping centers help attract customers, but the casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars in profits raked in by games of chance. This article takes a look at the history of casinos, popular games and their rules, the many ways casinos persuade people to gamble and the dark side of the business.
During the mob’s heyday in Reno and Las Vegas, they owned and operated numerous casinos. Mob money gave the casinos an edge over competitors, but federal crackdowns and the possibility of losing a gambling license at even a hint of mafia involvement soon put an end to that. Real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets bought out the mobsters and established legitimate casino businesses.
Today, most casinos offer a wide variety of gaming options and often introduce new games to lure gamblers. The most common games include slots, video poker, keno and table games like craps and baccarat. Guests can also bet on horse races or try their hand at sports betting. Casinos also encourage gambling by offering comps, free goods and services to big spenders. These can include limo service, free rooms and meals, shows and even airline tickets.
Because of the large amounts of cash handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal. This is why many casinos employ security measures.