Whether they are in Las Vegas, Macau or the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, casinos attract millions of people from all over the world. These visitors spend billions of dollars on slot machines, table games and other gambling-related entertainment. Casinos also reap huge profits for the corporations, investors and Native American tribes that own and operate them. State and local governments benefit from casino gambling as well, in the form of taxes and fees.
Gambling in some form has been part of every culture throughout history. It was first practiced by the ancient Mesopotamians, the Greeks and Romans. It was a popular pastime in Elizabethan England and Napoleon’s France. It is not clear when the modern casino industry began, but it was probably in Nevada, where legal gambling first took hold. Since then, casinos have spread across the United States and around the globe.
While many people visit casinos for the gambling, they also offer a lot more. From the dazzling shows in Las Vegas to the swank restaurants in New York City, casinos have become much more than just places for people to lose money.
The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for example, is famous for its dancing fountains and high-end restaurants. It is a top choice for high-stakes gamblers, who are often offered luxury suites and lavish personal attention. The casino business is highly competitive, so operators are choosy about who they allow to play. They want people who will bet a large amount of money and generate a lot of profits for them.