A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is an establishment where certain types of gambling can be undertaken. The term is most often associated with casinos in Las Vegas, but there are many others around the world. Most of these offer a variety of games and some even feature live entertainment, restaurants and hotels.
The history of casinos is a long and complex one. At first they were mainly run by organized crime groups, but after the mobs lost control of many casinos due to federal crackdowns and business competition from real estate investors and hotel chains, many were bought out by legitimate businesses and became independent. Currently, there are more than 1,000 casinos in the United States and hundreds more scattered around the globe.
There is something about the allure of gambling that inspires people to cheat, steal or scam their way into winning a jackpot. This is why casinos invest so much time, money and effort into security measures. In addition to cameras, casinos employ numerous people to watch over the patrons, making sure that all of the rules are being followed. Dealers, for instance, keep a close eye on the players to spot any suspicious behavior such as palming or marking cards. Table managers and pit bosses have a broader view of the tables, watching for betting patterns that could be indicative of cheating or collusion.
Whether you are looking for glamour, history or a little bit of both, there is a casino out there to meet your needs. Some of these are world-famous, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Casino Lisboa in Lisbon or the elegant Casino Baden-Baden in Germany.
