A casino is a gambling establishment that features multiple games of chance and some table or card games. It may also offer stage shows, restaurants and other luxuries to attract customers and keep them gambling. Casinos are a major source of revenue for many cities and states, and they are a popular destination for tourists.
Gambling has been a part of human civilization for millennia, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice turning up in archaeological digs. But casinos as we know them, public places where patrons can find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof, did not emerge until the 16th century, when a gambling craze took hold in Italy. Aristocrats created private gambling houses known as ridotti, and although they were technically illegal, the authorities rarely bothered them [Source: Schwartz].
The word casino derives from the Italian word for “house,” and it’s no coincidence that some of the most famous casinos are located in exotic destinations like Venice, Monaco and Singapore. But even if the surroundings are beautiful, a casino is nothing more than a place to gamble. To make money, patrons bet on various possible random outcomes of the games they play, and the house takes a percentage of all bets, called the vig or rake. This mathematically determined advantage can be quite small – less than two percent – but over time it can add up to enormous profits. These profits fuel the extravagant casinos with their fountains, pyramids and towers and replicas of landmarks from around the world.
Today, most casinos are owned by large hotel and resort chains and operated by professional managers and staff. The mob may have once run many of them, but federal crackdowns and the threat of losing a gambling license at the slightest hint of mob involvement have driven out much of that criminal element. The casinos now cater primarily to wealthy vacationers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
In addition to employing security staff and using cameras and other technological measures, casinos enforce rules of behavior and conduct that ensure fair play. For example, players at poker tables must keep their cards visible at all times. These rules are designed to prevent cheating by players and the collusion of croupiers.
Some casinos use special rooms for high-rollers, with private cocktail waitresses and the latest in sound systems. Others have catwalks that allow security personnel to look down through one-way glass on activities at the gaming tables. The most flamboyant casinos feature dazzling decor, including ceilings adorned with crystal stars and huge sculptures. Some casinos are modeled after the Eiffel Tower, while others have been designed to look like pirate ships or luxury train stations. In the United States, many casinos are built in tourist destinations, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The most famous is probably the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, which opened in 1863. Other renowned casinos include the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Venetian in California.