A casino is a place where a wide range of games of chance and gambling occur. In addition to the traditional table and slot machines, a casino may offer other games such as poker, craps, roulette, keno and baccarat. It may also have restaurants, shopping centers and a host of entertainment. But while a casino adds luxuries such as free drinks, stage shows and themed rooms to help lure gamblers, the profits for a casino are derived mostly from its gambling activities.

In the 1950s organized crime gangsters were funding the expansion of casinos in Nevada. As the mob began to pull out, real estate investors and hotel chains realized that they could run casinos without the taint of organized crime. These businessmen had deep pockets and a desire to avoid the mob’s seamy image. They bought out the mobsters and took sole or partial ownership of casinos. They also built better security systems, ensuring that gamblers would be protected against mobsters looking for their cash.

Modern casinos have extensive security measures in place to prevent money-laundering and other illegal activity. For example, all casinos use video cameras to monitor the gambling areas and the patrons. Additionally, many use a system of wires that allows them to supervise the action of all slot machines and their payouts. These systems can detect statistical deviations from expected values and warn security staff of suspicious activity. In some cases, a gambler’s winnings are returned to his or her account, reducing the amount of money that was wagered.