The casino is a glamorous, luxurious hub of entertainment and fun. Whether you’re interested in trying your luck at the Bellagio fountain show or staking it all on high-stakes gambling, there’s something for everyone at a top casino. The best casinos feature a variety of table games, slot machines, and poker rooms along with upscale hotels, spas, restaurants, and entertainment.
Casinos are not without their dark side, however. Some patrons are prone to cheating, in collusion with others or on their own. Some casinos even have a specialized surveillance department to watch out for this type of behavior. These casinos use video cameras that cover the entire gaming floor to prevent cheating and theft.
In the 1950s, when Las Vegas casinos began to boom, they drew mobster money from illegal rackets such as drug dealing and extortion. Mafia families became involved in casinos and took sole or partial ownership of some. In addition to funding the casinos, they influenced the outcome of some games and pressured casino personnel.
Despite the fact that casinos provide many amenities to keep customers happy, they would not exist without the games of chance. Slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack and other games of chance make up the vast majority of the billions in profits that casinos rake in each year. Musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers, and lavish hotel accommodations also help draw in the crowds. But in the end, it’s the games of chance that give casinos their reputation as a place for excitement and fun.