A casino, also known as a gambling house, is an establishment that offers various types of gambling activities. The games played in casinos vary by location and include poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and slot machines. Some casinos are stand alone while others are combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, or other tourist attractions. Some states have laws against casinos while others regulate them or ban them altogether. Despite these regulations, some casinos operate illegally in the United States.
Casinos earn billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors, and Native American tribes that own them. In addition, they provide jobs for a significant number of people and contribute to the local economy. However, studies have shown that compulsive gambling creates a negative impact on the community by shifting spending from other forms of entertainment and reducing productivity.
Originally, casinos were places where the wealthy would meet to socialize and gamble. In the early 20th century, organized crime mobs controlled many of these establishments because they had plenty of cash from their drug dealing and extortion businesses. When Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, mobsters moved to Reno and Las Vegas to capitalize on the new industry. Some mob members became very involved with casinos, taking sole or partial ownership and influencing the outcomes of games.
In modern casinos, the atmosphere is noisy and energetic, with bright lights and flashing images to attract attention and create excitement. Patrons are encouraged to participate in the action by being offered free drinks and food, which is often served on trays or in buffet-style meals. The clatter of dice and the clank of metal coins as they are stacked and rolled add to the excitement. Some casinos feature live entertainment such as singers and dancers, or offer gaming lessons.
To ensure security, casinos employ a variety of techniques. Some use video cameras to monitor all activity. Other measures are more subtle. Casino floor personnel watch over table games with a close eye, catching blatant cheating like palming or marking cards. Pit bosses and table managers have a broader view of the activity, and keep track of betting patterns that could indicate cheating.
The majority of casinos are located in the United States, with more than 40 states having legalized some form of casino gambling. In addition to land-based casinos, there are a growing number of mobile and online casinos. Some are operated by traditional land-based companies, while others are owned and operated by international companies or even by Native American tribes. A few countries, such as France and Italy, have legalized casinos, while others have banned them or limit their operation to riverboats or specific venues. In the United Kingdom, a casino is usually called a gambling club. The name is derived from the Latin casin