The Casino – The Gambling Craze
The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the majority of the entertainment (and profits for its owner) coming from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, baccarat and more are what bring in the billions that casinos earn each year. While slot deposit dana other attractions such as musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels help attract visitors, they would not exist without the gambling that ties them together.
While gamblers have been around since ancient times, the modern casino began to develop in the 16th century as a result of a European gambling craze. The first casino was an Italian-style establishment called a ridotto, where aristocrats could gather to socialize and gamble in private. Despite being technically illegal, the aristocrats were rarely bothered by authorities and their venues grew in popularity.
By the 1950s, organized crime mobs were funding casinos in Las Vegas and Reno. But they were not content to simply supply the cash — many mobster owners became personally involved, taking sole or partial ownership of casinos and influencing their operations with threats or actual violence against casino personnel. Federal crackdowns and the threat of losing a gaming license at the slightest hint of mob involvement eventually drove the mobsters out of the business.
Something about gambling (perhaps the sheer amount of money handled within a casino) seems to encourage people to cheat, steal or scam their way into a win, either in collusion with other players or on their own. This is why casinos spend a lot of time, effort and money on security.