A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games for people to gamble on. While musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels may attract the crowds, casinos would not exist without games of chance such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps, which provide the billions in profits that casino owners rake in each year.
While the precise origins of casino games are obscure, it is known that casinos have always been a source of entertainment, and a great deal of money. The earliest casinos were run by the mafia and were notorious for their brutality, but federal crackdowns and mob infighting forced the casino business to become more legitimate. Casinos also started to offer more amenities for their customers, such as restaurants, bars and luxury accommodations.
Casinos operate on the assumption that while black jack and roulette may be their main revenue generators, they must offer other incentives to keep frequent gamblers coming back. This is especially true on the Vegas Strip, where casinos have taken their promotions to the next level. Floor shows, all-you-can-eat buffets and free drinks are standard perks for high rollers.
Casinos spend a lot of time and effort on security to ensure that their patrons do not cheat, steal or scam their way to winning a jackpot. This is why many of them have video surveillance, allowing security personnel to look down on the patrons through one-way mirrors. Casinos also employ routine patterns and actions for their employees to watch, which makes it easier for them to spot suspicious behavior.