A Casino is an entertainment center with slot machines, table games and other gambling attractions. Lights, music and excitement are designed to draw in gamblers and keep them spending money. But while dazzling architecture, lighted fountains and elaborate shows are attractive, casinos would not exist without the games themselves. Slot machines, blackjack, poker and other table games account for the billions of dollars in profits raked in by casinos every year.
Something about gambling seems to encourage cheating and fraud, which is why casinos spend a lot of time and effort on security. In addition to guards on the casino floor, employees monitor each game for shoddy dealing and other telltale signs of cheating. They also use technology to supervise the games themselves. For example, betting chips with microcircuitry interact with the game computers to monitor exact amounts wagered minute by minute; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly for statistical deviations from their expected results.
The earliest forms of casino gambling date back to the 16th century, when Italian aristocrats held private parties at places called ridotti to enjoy their favorite pastime – playing cards and dice. The popularity of these private clubs spread throughout Europe, and the term casino was born.
Today, casinos are almost like indoor amusement parks for adults. They are often large and feature a wide variety of games and themed areas, such as Ancient Rome, space and the movies. They are crowded with noise, lights and people and populated by workers who shout encouragement to gamblers. The modern casino relies on a combination of glitzy advertising, high-tech surveillance and enticing games to lure in the customers.