A casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. In modern times, casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other entertainment venues. People from all over the world travel to casinos to try their luck and enjoy other attractions.
While musical shows, lighted fountains and elaborate themes help draw in the crowds, most of the money made by casinos is from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and a host of other games provide the billions that casinos rake in every year. The precise origin of casino gambling is unknown, but it can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia and Rome, the Middle East, and Napoleon’s France and Elizabethan England. Gambling has continued to grow in popularity throughout history, becoming part of the fabric of many cultures.
As the popularity of gambling grew in America, organized crime figures saw an opportunity to cash in. Mobster money helped to bring casinos to life in cities such as Reno and Las Vegas, but the mob was not satisfied with simply providing the bankroll. They became personally involved and took sole or partial ownership of some casinos, influencing the outcomes of games and intimidating staff. Government crackdowns and the threat of losing a gaming license at even the slightest hint of Mafia involvement eventually drove the mob out of the casino business.
Today, casinos are found in almost all countries around the world and offer a wide variety of gambling opportunities. While they may not be as flamboyant or extravagant as their counterparts in Las Vegas, most casinos feature high-quality games and plenty of options for both small and large wagers. Casinos also employ a number of security measures to keep their patrons and staff safe from cheating and theft, which can occur both in collusion and independently.