A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. While casinos use musical shows, lighted fountains and elaborate themes to lure patrons, they would not exist without the gambling that provides billions of dollars in profits every year. Whether playing a game of chance or watching other people do so, a casino is a fun place to be.

Some casinos have an elegant feel, with lavish carpets and expensive taste in decor. Others have a more modern look with dark colors and simple furniture. In either case, the goal is to make patrons feel special. A large amount of money is handled within a casino, so security is a huge priority. Security cameras are located throughout the casino and can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons.

Gambling has been around in some form for thousands of years. It was popular in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and Elizabethan England. Today, it is an integral part of the entertainment industry, attracting millions of people each year to places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

In the early days of gambling, legitimate businessmen were reluctant to get involved with casinos because they had a seamy image. The mob provided the cash that financed the first casinos in Nevada and beyond. The mobsters also became personally involved in the running of some casinos and even took sole or partial ownership of several of them. As casino gambling expanded across the country, more states legalized it.