Casinos are establishments dedicated to gambling, with most of their revenue and profits coming from games of chance such as poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and slot machines. While elaborate themes, musical performances and lighted fountains draw customers in, casinos could not exist without gambling games being the driving force.
In this article, we will look into the history and games offered at casinos, what visitors should expect when visiting one, how casinos ensure safety during visits, the dark side of casino business as a whole as well as more.
Casinos are relatively recent innovations, first appearing in America following the American Civil War. Though their origin remains somewhat controversial, most historians agree that casinos were created largely through organized crime figures who saw gambling as a means to make illegal profits. Legitimate businessmen were initially wary to invest due to its seamy image but mobster money soon began flowing steadily into Reno and Las Vegas casinos to become tourist spots and expand offerings.
Most modern casinos are large complexes that combine entertainment and retail venues with gambling halls. Some casinos specialize in certain games like baccarat and keno; others boast high-end restaurants or celebrity performances. Casinos in the US must comply with state law before opening their doors for business.
Casinos largely rely on chance, but some have developed strategies to increase their odds of success – known as game theory – that help both dealers and gamblers increase their chances of victory. Some casinos may offer complimentary items such as hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows or even limousine service and airline tickets as comps to encourage gamblers.
Alongside standard gambling games, many casinos also provide Asian-inspired casino games like sic bo and fan tan; popular among European and American casinos in the 1990s – as well as regional-specific table games such as two-up in Australia or baccarat in France.
Many casinos provide not only gaming options but also surveillance systems to allow security personnel to monitor the activities of guests and staff. Most systems utilize both physical security guards as well as an operating department dedicated to operating closed circuit television systems – often known as an “eye in the sky.” Some surveillance systems may even be remotely managed.