A casino is a place where people play games of chance or skill for money. The name is derived from the Latin caino, meaning “to risk”. In addition to gambling, casinos often offer other entertainment such as concerts and shows. Many states have legalized casinos, and in the United States there are more than 3,000.
Casinos have long been an attraction for tourists and locals. Initially, the mob controlled many of them. This was largely because they were not subject to state anti-gambling laws, and the mob had a lot of cash from drug dealing and extortion rackets. When legitimate businesses like real estate investors and hotel chains got involved, they were able to buy out the mob. With federal crackdowns and the fear of losing a gaming license at even the hint of mob involvement, casinos began to clean up their image.
In addition to casino gambling, some casinos feature poker and other card games. In these cases, the house edge is small, usually less than two percent. In poker, the casino makes its profit by taking a portion of each pot or charging players an hourly fee.
In the past, casinos were often designed with extravagant decor and features. Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip, for example, is famous for its Roman-themed architecture and star-studded entertainment. The Bellagio is another example, with its dancing fountains and luxury accommodations. However, more recently casino designers have focused on enhancing the gaming experience through high-tech innovations. For example, electronic systems monitor chip tracking and roulette wheels to detect anomalies. In addition, a casino might employ video cameras to watch all table activity.