A casino, or gaming hall, is a public place where people can gamble and play games of chance. Besides offering a huge variety of gambling machines and tables, casinos have restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to attract gamblers. There have been less lavish places that housed gambling activities and still called themselves casinos, but the modern casino has a lot more luxuries to help lure in patrons.
The Bellagio, in Las Vegas, is a prime example of the casino concept at its most elegant. This casino draws high-stakes gamblers and casual visitors alike with its dazzling displays, high-end dining options, luxury accommodations and breath-taking art. The casino also features a large selection of table and slot games, making it a world-class destination for both the casual and high-stakes gambler. Its popularity was boosted in part by the hit movie Ocean’s 11.
Other examples of casinos can be found all over the globe. The famous Monte-Carlo is one of the most recognizable, while others are spread throughout Europe, America and beyond. Many of these are operated by major hotel and real estate investors, who have realized that the casino business can be a moneymaker for them. The mob once ran a number of casinos, but government crackdowns and the possibility of losing a gambling license at the slightest hint of mob involvement have driven the mobsters out of the business.
There are also a growing number of casinos operated by American Indian tribes, which are exempt from state antigambling laws. Some are located on land, while others are in cruise ships and other mobile venues.
