The Good, Bad and Ugly Side of Casinos

Casinos are places where people can gamble. They also provide a place for entertainment, sports and other activities.

How casinos make their money

Casinos make billions of dollars a year, and the vast majority of that profit comes from gambling. While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels lure in the visitors, the games of chance (including slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, keno, baccarat and more) are what really make it all worth the while for the owners.

Popular casino games

Casino games are fast-paced and offer an unrivaled thrill, especially for those who like to play with other people. Players feel connected to the game and have a sense of community as they cheer each other on.

How the casino stays safe

There are many security features in place at a casino to protect the patrons and keep them safe from any dangers, including video cameras and computers that constantly monitor game tables and the roulette wheels. These features allow a casino to oversee exact amounts wagered minute-by-minute, and to spot and alert players quickly if their expected results deviate from the actual outcome.

The dark side of the casino

Organized crime figures had plenty of cash from drug dealing, extortion and other illegal activity, and they were not afraid to invest in casinos with the money provided by their customers. They took sole or partial ownership of some casino properties, and even influenced the outcomes of certain casino games with threats of violence to casino personnel.