The dazzling lights, champagne glasses clinking, and music pounding out of speakers at casinos create a place that feels like a party. Even if you don’t gamble, just being there can make you feel alive with excitement. The games themselves can be just as entertaining, whether you’re a table game enthusiast or prefer the faster action of video poker and slot machines. There’s always something new to try, and you never know when your luck will change.
Something about gambling (or the presence of large amounts of money) encourages people to cheat or steal, in collusion or independently. That’s why casinos spend a lot of time and money on security.
Casinos can be large, with many tables and games. But they can also be small, with a few dozen slot machines or card tables. Some are located in resorts or other exotic locales, while others stand alone, a few blocks from a big mall or shopping district.
The best-known casino is probably the Mirage in Las Vegas, which features water shows and attractions, a shopping mall, and over 3000 slots and table games. But there are a few other noteworthy ones, including the Dakota Dunes Casino Resort in Canada, which offers guests views of Niagara Falls from their hotel rooms. Other casinos have been built around a specific attraction, such as the Horseshoe Falls at the Niagara Parks and Casino in British Columbia. The neo-noir films of Martin Scorsese include several about casino life, from corrupt Wall Street financiers and Chicago mobster to the Vegas casino manager who tries to prevent a murder.