A casino (also called a gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other attractions. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state governments. Some casinos are owned by major corporations, while others are operated by local governments.
A modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the vast majority of the entertainment (and profits for the owners) coming from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps are just a few of the many popular casino games. These games provide the billions of dollars in profits that casinos bring in each year.
Gambling is a popular pastime that has been around in one form or another for centuries. The exact origin is unknown, but it is believed that gambling has existed in nearly every culture throughout history. In the beginning, casino games were often illegal, but that didn’t stop people from playing them. The first legal casino opened in Nevada in 1931, and it took decades for other states to follow suit.
Once casino gambling became legal in Nevada, mobster money began flowing into Las Vegas and Reno. Mafia figures not only provided the funds, but also became personally involved in some of the businesses and even took sole or partial ownership of some casinos. Federal crackdowns on mob involvement eventually pushed the mobsters out of the business, and hotel chains, real estate investors and other legitimate businessmen realized just how much money they could make with casinos.