The Casino Business – The Good and the Bad
A casino is a place where a variety of games of chance can be played and where gambling is the primary activity. While many casinos add other forms of entertainment such as restaurants, musical shows and dramatic scenery to the mix, it is the games of chance that bring in the billions of dollars in profits each year.
Casinos often try to create an atmosphere of excitement and luxury to attract high rollers. They may use bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings that are thought to stimulate the gamblers and make them lose track of time. Red is a popular color for this purpose. Many casinos also do not display clocks on their walls.
The casino business has its dark side as well. In the early days, organized crime provided the seed money for most Las Vegas and Reno casinos. As the industry grew, mob figures became personally involved in running many of the properties and even took sole or partial ownership. Some mobsters even became players at some of the casinos.
Modern casinos have a complex security system that includes both a physical force that patrols the premises and a specialized surveillance department. Both departments work closely to respond to calls for assistance and reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. Casino security is also enforced through a number of rules and regulations, such as the requirement that all players in card games keep their cards visible at all times.
A casino is a place where a variety of games of chance can be played and where gambling is the primary activity. While many casinos add other forms of entertainment such as restaurants, musical shows and dramatic scenery to the mix, it is the games of chance that bring in the billions of dollars in…