What Is a Casino?

A casino (from the Latin casin meaning “house of games”) is an establishment where people can gamble. Most casinos offer a variety of gambling activities, and some also have entertainment features like musical shows and restaurants. Some are combined with hotels, shopping centers, or other tourist attractions. Casinos are legal in many jurisdictions, and customers must be over the age of majority to participate. The games played in a casino are mostly chance-based, although some have an element of skill (such as blackjack or poker). The house always has an advantage over the players, which is known as the house edge. The size of the house edge varies between different games, and is calculated according to mathematical odds. In addition, some casinos collect a rake from table games, which is known as the vigorish. Modern casinos have an elaborate security system with a specialized surveillance department. They use banks of cameras to monitor the entire building, and can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons. Some casinos have a high-tech eye-in-the-sky system that can track every movement and even read the expressions on a player’s face. The first casinos were built as a way to draw tourists to Nevada, which had recently become the only U.S. state to allow gambling. As the industry grew, mob money helped finance many new operations. While legitimate businessmen were wary of getting involved in casinos, which had the taint of "vice" because they were illegal elsewhere, organized crime figures saw an opportunity to make serious cash. They provided the funds, took sole or part ownership of many casinos, and exerted control over the decisions made by casino managers. In the United States, some casinos are owned by large corporations such as Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International. Others are owned by state governments, Native American tribes, or private owners. Most of the largest casinos are located in Las Vegas, with a few in Atlantic City and other cities around the world. While flashing lights, glitzy decor, and the sounds of slot machines and blackjack tables might help to attract customers, a casino’s profits come from the billions that are raked in each year by its gambling patrons. In this article we’ll take a look at the history of casinos, how they make their money, the most popular casino games and how to play them, and the dark side of the business. We’ll also take a look at some of the world’s biggest casinos and how they set themselves apart from the competition.