A casino is a building that houses various types of gambling activities. These may include poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other games. Some casinos also have musical shows and shopping centers. While the glitzy venues, elaborate themes and celebrity sightings attract tourists and generate huge profits for owners, a casino would not exist without the simple game of chance. Slot machines, card games, and other games of chance bring in billions every year.
A few decades ago, the mob controlled many of the world’s casinos. But gangsters’ deep pockets weren’t enough to compete with real estate investors and hotel chains that saw the potential of the gambling industry. With the threat of losing a gaming license at the slightest hint of mafia interference, mob casinos began to disappear. Casino ownership now includes some of the most recognizable names in the business, including Donald Trump and the Hilton hotel chain. The Bellagio in Las Vegas is perhaps the most famous of all casino locations, thanks to the movie Ocean’s 11.
Most casinos are built on or near waterfronts or have views of dazzling skylines, making them visually appealing as well as offering visitors exciting ways to spend their money. The Bellagio’s dancing fountains, upscale dining options, and luxurious accommodations make it a favorite among high rollers and casual gamblers alike.
Gambling is a risky business, and some people are prone to cheating or stealing, either in collusion with other patrons or by themselves. This is why most casinos employ a variety of security measures to deter these behaviors. Security cameras that watch every corner of the casino are one obvious method. Casino employees are also trained to look for blatant cheating, like palming or marking cards and dice. Some casinos have a separate room filled with banks of security monitors where workers can review tapes of suspicious behavior.
The games of chance that are the basis of casinos offer a mathematical expectancy that gives the house an edge, and it is very rare for a casino to lose money on any particular day. To ensure this, the casinos often offer big bettors extravagant inducements. These can range from free spectacular entertainment to free or reduced-fare transportation and luxury living quarters. In some games, like poker, the house collects a percentage of each bet that is made, a fee known as the rake.