A casino is an establishment where gambling activities take place. Although casinos add musical shows, lighted fountains and hotels to draw in customers, the vast majority of their profits come from games of chance such as slots, blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat.
Until the late 1950s, legitimate businessmen were wary of the casino industry because it carried a taint of “vice” from illegal racketeering and was not fully legal in many places. But mobsters, who benefited from the money and tax breaks of Nevada’s gaming laws, did not share this reluctance and became financially involved in Reno and Las Vegas casinos. They often took sole or partial ownership of them and influenced the outcomes of certain games.
Casinos attract gamblers by offering perks such as free food, drinks and show tickets. They also have strict security measures to deter cheating and stealing. They employ many types of electronic surveillance equipment to monitor activity and have rules of conduct and behavior that ensure players’ safety. For example, casino chips have built-in microcircuitry to track their use minute by minute and alert staff if a chip is removed from the table too quickly; the numbers on roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any deviation from the expected results.
Modern casinos are elaborate, with high-class decor such as gold-trimmed ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Many have restaurants serving haute cuisine. They’re also designed for comfort, with plush carpeting and red lighting that’s thought to stimulate the senses and make people forget about time.