A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is an entertainment facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. These facilities are often located near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. Many casinos feature a variety of games and offer entertainment such as stand-up comedy and concerts.
A wide variety of games are offered at casinos, and the facilities are staffed by professional security personnel to protect patrons and assets. The most common casino games are slot machines, roulette, and card games. Some casinos also have a variety of specialty games, such as keno, poker, and blackjack. Some even have a theater for live shows.
Although some people might think that a casino is a dangerous place, the truth is that it is not. Most casinos are required to offer literature on gambling addiction, and they are staffed with counselors who are trained to help gamblers overcome their problems. In addition, all gambling establishments are required to follow state laws regarding minimum age and the amount of money a gambler can win or lose in a single visit.
In the early days of Las Vegas, casinos were financed by mobster money because legitimate businessmen were reluctant to invest in a venture with such a seamy image. However, mobsters had plenty of cash from their drug dealing, extortion, and other illegal rackets, and they quickly realized that casinos were a huge tourist draw.