Casino is a gambling establishment, offering various games of chance. It also provides entertainment options, such as stage shows. Some casinos specialize in certain games, such as baccarat or blackjack. They may also feature a number of restaurant outlets, as well as luxury hotels. In the United States, there are several popular casino destinations, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Due to the large amounts of money handled, casinos have a strong incentive to protect themselves from cheating or theft by patrons and employees. Security cameras are a common sight, and casino personnel keep watch for blatant acts of cheating by observing betting patterns and looking for marks on cards or dice. In addition, sophisticated technology in the form of computers and video cameras now routinely supervises table games. For example, betting chips have microcircuitry that interacts with the table’s electronic systems to allow casinos to oversee exactly what is being wagered minute by minute and quickly discover any statistical deviation from expected results.
Historically, the largest and most famous casinos were found in the United States. Many of these were built by organized crime figures, who saw a lucrative opportunity in the new industry of gambling. They funded construction and poured millions of dollars into elaborate hotel structures, fountains, pyramids, towers, and replicas of famous landmarks. The mob also controlled the operations, taking sole or partial ownership of some and dictating terms for others. This tainted gambling’s seamy image, and legitimate businessmen were reluctant to get involved.