Whether you’re hitting the slots, placing your bets on a roulette wheel or throwing dice at the craps table, there’s nothing quite like a casino to scratch that gambling itch. But while casinos rely on musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels to draw in the crowds, they would not exist without games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and keno provide the billions of dollars in profits that casinos rake in each year.
The earliest modern casino was opened in 1900 in London, England, to serve as a performance center, but it wasn’t until 122 years later that Nevada legalized gambling. In the United States, Las Vegas now has the largest concentration of casino gaming, followed by Atlantic City and New Jersey.
There’s no single explanation for the popularity of casinos, but they are often designed to appeal to people who enjoy excitement and risk-taking. They have an atmosphere that is sexy and seductive, with bright colors and gaudy patterns that are intended to be stimulating. They offer a variety of drinks and foods, and many have a dance floor.
While the sexy and glamorous appearance of casinos has been a big part of their success, they are also notorious for their high rates of cheating and theft. Because so much money changes hands within a casino, security measures are especially important. Electronics such as cameras and computer systems are used to monitor betting activities minute-by-minute and to detect any deviation from expected results.