A Casino is a facility where people can gamble on various games of chance. Although musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels help draw in visitors, casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars in profits generated by games of chance like slots, blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, baccarat and keno.
The etymology of the word casino is unclear, but it has been associated with various pleasurable activities for centuries. Casinos were first developed in Italy, but became more widespread with the spread of Western culture. Today, most modern casinos combine gambling facilities with top-notch hotel rooms, dining and entertainment venues where rock, pop and jazz artists come to perform for guests.
While casino gambling was illegal throughout much of American history, it continued to occur clandestinely and often with the complicity of local law enforcement. It was not until Nevada legalized the practice in 1931 that it began to grow into a legitimate industry.
Casinos have a number of security measures in place to keep their patrons safe. For example, employees on the casino floor have a clear view of all the tables and can easily spot blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards. Dealers also look for betting patterns that suggest that one player is winning more than others, and a pit boss keeps tabs on the overall action at a table. Security is also enforced through rules of conduct and behavior, and a casino will not allow minors to play or loiter in the premises.