What is a Casino?

A Casino is a gambling establishment. Casinos are commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other tourist attractions. They usually offer a variety of gambling options, including slot machines, table games, and poker. Some casinos also include entertainment venues such as concerts, stand-up comedy, and sporting events.

Though gambling probably predates recorded history (with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in archeological sites), the casino as we know it today didn’t emerge until the 16th century. A gambling craze in Italy led to the development of small, private gambling houses called ridotti, and these became the precursors of modern casinos.

Gambling’s seamy reputation led legitimate businessmen to shy away from the industry, but organized crime figures had no such qualms. The mob pumped billions into Reno and Las Vegas, and in many cases took sole or partial ownership of the casinos. This money enabled them to build lavish hotel-casino complexes with their own amenities, such as lighted fountains, musical shows and replicas of famous landmarks.

The modern casino is a virtual wonderland, and it’s a place where millions of dollars are exchanged every day. Because of this, security is a big concern. Most casinos have a dedicated physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. Some even have catwalks in the ceiling, allowing security personnel to look directly down on the tables and slot machines through one way glass. In addition, casinos employ a host of other techniques to keep the riffraff out.