What is a Casino?

Casino is a gambling establishment where patrons can gamble on games of chance. Games of chance include slot machines, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker. Most games have built in mathematical advantages for the house. These edges, while relatively small, can be accumulated over millions of individual wagers and earn the casinos enough money to cover their overhead and pay their employees. The casinos also profit from a percentage of the bets made by patrons, which is called the vig or rake.

Although gambling in some form has been part of human civilization for millennia, the modern casino as a place to find a wide variety of ways to gamble under one roof didn’t really take off until the 16th century, when European aristocrats formed private gambling clubs known as ridotti [Source: Poley].

Today’s casinos typically feature a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The physical security force patrols the floor and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The specialized surveillance department operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, which is sometimes called an “eye-in-the-sky” because it allows security personnel to watch every table, change window and doorway in the entire facility at once.

The majority of a casino’s revenue comes from the slot machines. The machines are simple in concept; a player inserts cash, pulls a handle or pushes a button and waits for the outcome. Varying bands of colored shapes roll on reels (actual physical ones or a video representation of them). When the right pattern appears, the machine pays out the predetermined amount. The simplicity and low cost of slot machines makes them the most popular form of casino entertainment.

Other casino games require a certain level of skill. In these cases, the casino may offer incentives to encourage patrons to try their luck. For example, players with high hand totals can receive free spectacular entertainment, transportation and elegant living quarters. Casinos also profit from the vig, or a percentage of bets taken by customers, which is collected by dealers and a variety of other casino workers.

Because of their seamy image, casinos have traditionally attracted organized crime figures. The gangsters provided the necessary bankroll and, at times, even took sole or partial ownership of some casinos. However, the rise of real estate and hotel chains with deeper pockets meant that mob influence faded from the business. With federal crackdowns and the threat of losing a gaming license at any hint of mob involvement, legitimate businesses began to replace mafia-owned casinos. Casinos are now found in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and a number of American Indian reservations that have legalized gambling. There are also several casinos in the Caribbean and South America. In addition, many states have changed their antigambling laws to allow for more casinos. Many of these casinos are located in areas where tourism is a significant economic driver. In this way, the casinos help promote local tourist attractions.