A casino is a popular gambling establishment where people play games of chance for money. These games include slot machines, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, and more. Casinos also offer entertainment like musical shows and lighted fountains to draw in customers. Some casinos also feature restaurants and hotels.
A successful casino generates billions of dollars each year for the owners, investors, and Native American tribes. State and local governments also reap the rewards of casino profits in taxes, fees, and other payments.
Many casinos employ a wide range of security measures to protect patrons and property. These include security cameras, trained personnel, and a variety of anti-theft measures. Additionally, casino employees often monitor game play for irregularities. These patterns can reveal cheating, stealing, or other violations.
Something about gambling (perhaps the presence of large sums of money) encourages some people to cheat and steal, either in collusion with staff or independently. This is why most casinos invest a lot of time, money, and effort into their security.
In the 1950s, mobster money flowed steadily into Las Vegas and Reno casinos, and mafia leaders became personally involved, taking full or partial ownership of several of them. As a result, the gambling industry in Nevada gained a seamy image that was not always conducive to legitimate business.