A Casino is a special place where people can find many different ways to gamble under one roof. While gambling has existed as far back as the invention of primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice, casinos as we know them today began to emerge in the 16th century during a European gaming craze that swept the continent.
Most modern casinos are much more than simple gambling halls — they’re like elaborate indoor amusement parks for adults with musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels. But they wouldn’t exist without the games of chance that give them their billions in profits each year. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno are just a few of the many games that contribute to the bottom line of any casino.
Something about the nature of gambling seems to encourage cheating, stealing and other unsavory activities. As a result, a lot of money and effort goes into casino security. Security starts on the floor, where dealers and pit bosses have a close eye on patrons to make sure that nobody is palming cards or marking their dice. In addition to a close watch on the tables, these employees are trained to recognize betting patterns that can indicate cheating.
Casinos can also generate a substantial amount of revenue from non-gambling related activities, such as restaurants and shopping. However, the lion’s share of revenue comes from the games of chance. Because of this, it is incredibly rare for a casino to lose money on any given day, even if the average player makes a large bet. The virtual certainty of profit gives the casino the freedom to offer big bettors extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment, reduced-fare transportation and elegant living quarters.