A Casino is a place where people gamble on games of chance and some that involve skill. It may also offer a variety of other amenities such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. Casinos are found in many countries around the world. Some states have legalized gambling and others still ban it, but a few have made it easy for people to get into the business by opening casinos on riverboats or Indian reservations that are not subject to state antigambling laws.
The word “casino” is Latin for “house of games.” Before the advent of modern casinos, the phrase referred to a private club where members gambled on cards and dice.
In the United States, the first legal casinos opened in Nevada after World War II. They were financed by mob money. Mobsters knew that gambling had a bad reputation and were willing to put their own money into the businesses with the hope of making even more on their drug dealing, extortion and other illegal rackets. Legitimate businessmen were less willing to get involved with casinos, which had the taint of being run by criminals.
Something about gambling attracts people to cheat, steal and scam their way into winning jackpots. That’s why casinos spend a lot of time, money and effort on security. Casino security personnel look out for blatant cheating such as palming or switching cards, moving dice and other suspicious behavior. In addition, elaborate surveillance systems allow security workers to watch every table, change in window and doorway at once.