A casino, also known as a gambling house or a chinese casino, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos offer a variety of games such as baccarat, blackjack, roulette, craps, and slots. In addition, casinos host live entertainment such as concerts and stand-up comedy. Many of these facilities are combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are located in cities while others are standalone.
Modern casinos have strict security policies to protect guests and staff. These include a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that uses closed circuit television to monitor activity. Despite these measures, casino crimes are still common. One such crime is money laundering, which involves converting cash into chips to avoid exchange restrictions. The crime is usually committed by organized crime groups, which often operate their own casinos.
Another popular casino crime is sex on the job, which occurs when a worker sexually assaults a patron. While it is rare for a patron to sue a casino for such an offense, the exploitation can have serious psychological and financial consequences for victims.
The word casino derives from the Italian “casa di gioco”, which means “house of games”. The first modern casinos appeared in the United States after legalized gambling began in Nevada in 1956. Other states soon realized the potential of attracting gambling tourists and began opening their own casinos. Historically, casinos were run by mafia-type crime syndicates that provided the bankroll to lure in gamblers. In some cases mobster money was so important to the success of casinos that they took sole or partial ownership and exerted control over management.