A casino is an establishment where people can play a variety of games of chance for money. While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers help draw in patrons, casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars that are raked in by slot machines, roulette, blackjack, craps, keno and baccarat every year. This article looks at the history of casinos, the games they offer, how they make their money and the dark side of the business.

Casinos are designed to be a fun and exciting place for people to gamble and socialize. They have several security measures in place to protect both patrons and employees. The most basic measure is the use of cameras throughout the facility to monitor activities. Additionally, all casino employees must wear a uniform that clearly states their position within the company. This helps prevent the possibility of collusion between employees or between guests and casino staff members.

In addition to the cameras, casinos use a variety of other technological devices for surveillance and verification. In modern casinos, for example, betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that enables the casino to track the amount wagered minute by minute and detect any statistical deviations from expected outcomes. Similarly, roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly for any anomalies.

In the past, many casinos were run by mobster gangs. However, as real estate investors and hotel chains gained the ability to buy out mob interests, legal casinos became more commonplace. Despite this, there are still several casinos that are owned and operated by the mafia. However, federal crackdowns and the threat of losing a gaming license at even the faintest hint of mob involvement mean that most legitimate businesses now run their own casinos without mafia interference.