A casino is an establishment that offers various forms of gambling. These may include slot machines, table games and live entertainment. Some casinos are stand-alone while others are part of hotels, resorts, or restaurants. The term casino may also refer to a specific game, such as poker or blackjack. In addition to gambling, some casinos host special events and concerts.
Because large amounts of money are handled within a casino, security is an important consideration. Casinos use many types of security measures, ranging from cameras to trained personnel. Casino security personnel often look for patterns in the way patrons play certain games, such as how they place bets or how they react to winning or losing streaks. This can help them spot suspicious activity and take appropriate action.
In addition to security measures, casinos try to appeal to a wide variety of gamblers by offering different games. Some games are universal, such as baccarat and roulette, while others are regional, like sic bo and fan-tan in Asia. Some are purely chance, such as slots and video poker, while others involve skill, such as blackjack and poker.
While legit businessmen were initially reluctant to invest in the fledgling industry, mobster cash flowed freely into Reno and Las Vegas. Mafia members not only provided the bankroll for the casinos, but took sole or partial ownership of several, and exerted direct control over their operations by threatening to kill dealers who made incorrect decisions.