Casinos are a staple of the modern-day entertainment industry. They are all over the globe and can be found in a multitude of destinations. Many are world-famous and offer non-stop gambling and entertainment of all kinds. But what are they exactly? And where are the world’s largest casinos located these days?
Casinos can be defined as gambling establishments that provide a variety of games of chance, such as slot machines, roulette, craps, baccarat and blackjack. They also feature a wide range of other activities, such as live entertainment, top-notch hotels and spas, restaurants and bars. Generally, casinos are designed to be fun and exciting places that appeal to a wide range of visitors.
The exact origin of casino gaming is unknown, but it is widely accepted that gambling in one form or another has been around for as long as human civilization. Various ancient gaming devices, such as primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice, have been discovered in archaeological sites. However, the modern casino as we know it didn’t develop until the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe and wealthy Italian aristocrats used their private clubs known as ridotti to host parties where they could gamble and socialize.
During the early years of Nevada’s casino boom, legitimate businessmen were wary of investing their money in such a seamy enterprise. But the mafia, which had plenty of cash from their drug dealing, extortion and other illegal rackets, was more than happy to provide funding for the new venture. Mafia moguls became so involved in the business that they would personally patrol the casino floors, take sole or partial ownership of some casinos and even attempt to rig some games by threatening crooked dealers. As a result of these events, casino security has become increasingly sophisticated with cameras and other technological advancements.