A casino is a gambling establishment where people can play games of chance and win money. In the United States, casinos are places where you can try your luck at slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps. Although musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers help draw in visitors, the majority of the profits for casinos come from gambling.
The word casino is derived from the Italian “casa,” which means small house. Originally, the term referred to a private clubhouse for Italians where they could gamble and socialize. But as public gambling houses were banned, casino became the generic name for a gaming facility.
During the mob’s reign over Reno and Las Vegas, mafia gangsters controlled casinos and used them as fronts for their illegal rackets. The mobsters provided the funds and even took sole or partial ownership of some casinos. Legitimate businessmen were reluctant to invest in such enterprises because they had the taint of crime associated with them. But real estate investors and hotel chains had much deeper pockets and realized the potential profits of a casino. These companies bought out the mobsters and now operate many casinos.
The popularity of casinos has spread throughout the world as more countries have legalized gambling and made them accessible to more people. In fact, the United States has more casinos than any other country in the world. But, like all businesses casinos are subject to risk. Because of the large amounts of money involved in a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal from each other. In order to reduce this possibility, casinos have security measures in place.