A casino (also known as a gaming establishment or gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are most often associated with the city of Las Vegas, but they can also be found in many other places, including some countries where gambling is legal. A casino usually has a large floor space, lots of table games and some slot machines. It may also have restaurants, bars and other entertainment options.
Although gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, the modern concept of a casino was developed in Europe during the 16th century when a casino craze swept the continent. It began with small clubhouses for Italian aristocrats, called ridotti, where they could gamble and socialize. The popularity of these clubs pushed gambling into places that were technically illegal, but the people who patronized them were rarely bothered by authorities [Source: Schwartz].
Gambling is not without risk and casinos must be concerned about money and security. Because so much cash is handled within a casino, there is always the danger that both patrons and employees will attempt to cheat or steal, either in collusion or on their own. This is why most casinos spend a lot of time and effort on security. Cameras are a common sight on the casino floor, and most modern casinos use high-tech monitoring systems to detect any statistical deviation from expected results in table games such as roulette.
In addition to cameras and other technological devices, some casinos employ gaming mathematicians to analyze the odds of a given game. These analysts can then be consulted to determine if a game is fair or not. The mathematicians may be employed by the casino itself or a third party hired by the casino.
Something about the ambiance of casinos seems to encourage cheating and theft, and it is not uncommon for these acts to occur. Many casinos have strict rules about where players can sit and how they must hold their cards, so that the crooks can’t hide them under clothing or in their pockets. There is also a heightened sense of excitement in the air, which can make a person feel like they are on edge and ready to steal.
Because of this, casinos are often staffed by security personnel that are specially trained in surveillance and detection of dishonest behavior. In addition to this, most states require that casinos display signs warning of the dangers of problem gambling and provide contact information for responsible gaming organizations. They also often include statutory funding for these services in their licensing conditions. In the United States, the most famous casinos are in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Reno. Some casinos are combined with hotels, resorts and other attractions to form casino-hotel complexes. Many casinos have also been built in remote locations in the United States, especially in Native American communities.
