Whether you like to hit the slots, spin the roulette wheel or roll the dice, there’s nothing quite like being in a casino to satisfy your gambling itch. In addition to the raw excitement of betting on your favorite games, casinos also offer plenty of other things that can add to your enjoyment. That includes great food, tasty sips and even live entertainment.
Typically, casinos include three general categories of games: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Gaming machines are games where one or more players bet against the house, and are often operated by computerized random number generators. Table games, such as blackjack or craps, involve playing against other players, and are often supervised by casino employees known as croupiers. Random number games, such as keno or bingo, involve selecting a series of numbers from a pre-selected list and receiving a payout based on the numbers drawn.
Casinos make money by adding a small statistical advantage to their games, called the “house edge.” The percentage of the total amount wagered that the casino keeps can vary from game to game. Over time, this advantage can add up to millions of dollars. This is how casinos can afford to build lavish hotels, fountains, towers and replicas of famous landmarks.
In the past, mobster money flowed into casinos in Las Vegas and Reno, giving them a seamy reputation that continues to this day. Mobster money is still used in some casino operations, and mobsters occasionally take sole or partial ownership of casinos. Other times, they simply provide the bankroll for a particular casino project.
