A casino is an establishment that offers a variety of gambling games. It may also offer restaurants, shopping centers and other tourist attractions. Some casinos specialize in particular types of games or have a theme, such as Las Vegas. Modern casinos are like giant indoor amusement parks for adults, with their dazzling light shows, musical fountains and elaborate themes. But they would not exist without the billions of dollars in profits raked in from gamblers playing the games of chance such as slot machines, roulette, blackjack and craps.

Some casinos have been owned by organized crime figures. Mob money flowed into Reno and Las Vegas during the 1950s, allowing owners to expand and renovate. The mafia also provided security. Elaborate surveillance systems now give operators an “eye-in-the-sky” of every table, window and doorway. Cameras can be aimed to focus on suspicious patrons.

Despite the glitz and glamour of the modern casino, some scholars believe that its net social value is negative. It diverts spending from other forms of entertainment and adds to the costs of treating compulsive gamblers, which largely offset any economic benefits. A small number of casinos have been criticized for their role in the development of the black market, where illegal bets are made with inside information or with the assistance of criminal associates. Other concerns include the adolescent gambling addictions that blight many communities. Nonetheless, the casino remains a popular and profitable form of entertainment.