A casino is a public place where a variety of games of chance can be played and gambling is the primary activity. Traditionally, casinos have offered a variety of extra luxuries to help attract gamblers. These include restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. However, there have also been less lavish places that house gambling activities, and these could still be considered casinos.
Casinos make money by adding a small statistical advantage to each game they offer, known as the “vig.” This edge can be lower than two percent, but it adds up over the millions of bets placed in casinos each year. This virtual assurance of profit allows casinos to spend heavily on extravagant accoutrements such as fountains, towers and replicas of famous landmarks.
As a result, casinos are often characterized by their loud noise, bright lights and cheery atmosphere. In addition, alcoholic drinks are available and can be delivered to gamblers at their tables or slot machines by waiters who circulate throughout the floor. There are no clocks on the casino floor because casinos want patrons to lose track of time and play for as long as possible.
In the 1950s, mobsters began investing their criminal profits in Reno and Las Vegas casinos. Although legitimate businessmen were hesitant to invest in such a seamy endeavor, mobster money gave casinos the financial backing they needed to grow. By the 1970s, casinos were a major attraction for people from all over the United States.