A casino is a place where gambling games are played. In some cases, casinos may also include restaurants, bars and stage shows to help attract customers.
In the past, casino gaming was often illegal. While this did not stop people from engaging in casino activities, it did slow the development of casinos as a legitimate industry. Even after Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, it took forty-seven years for another state to allow the industry within its borders. During this time, casinos developed on American Indian reservations where they were not subject to state anti-gambling laws.
Modern casinos use sophisticated security measures. They employ cameras throughout the facility, including at every window and doorway. They also use catwalks above the casino floor, which let surveillance personnel look directly down, through one-way glass, on the activities at tables and slot machines. They are constantly monitoring the casino patrons to detect any statistical deviation from expected results.
Many casinos are choosy about who they will accept as guests. They prefer high rollers, who spend a large amount of money. To accommodate them, they offer them special rooms away from the main casino. These rooms have a more refined tropical décor. They also have private waiters and a separate bar.
In the past, organized crime figures funded the growth of casinos in Reno and Las Vegas. However, the mob was not content to simply provide the funds; they sought control of the businesses. Real estate investors and hotel chains with deep pockets were willing to purchase out the mobsters and allowed their companies to run the casinos free from mob interference.