A casino is a place to play gambling games. Some casinos are standalone buildings, while others are combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships. Casinos are also a significant employer in some states and cities. This article focuses on the specialized facilities that are known as casinos.
Tabletop games, as the name suggests, are played on a flat surface, usually a table. They are a broad category that includes many different types of games, although all share some common characteristics. Board games are the most common type of tabletop game, as they involve moving pawns or meeples around on a game board. Some board games are role playing, and some may have a storyline or setting.
Historically, casino establishments were owned by organized crime families who used them as money-laundering and extortion centers. The mobsters invested in Las Vegas and Reno, building up their businesses with the proceeds from illegal rackets. However, federal crackdowns and the threat of losing a gaming license at the slightest hint of mob involvement drove the mobsters out. Real estate investors and hotel chains, which had more money than the gangsters, bought out the mob and began running their casinos without mafia interference.
Besides offering gambling, casinos are known for their customer service. They provide perks to encourage gamblers to spend more money, such as discounted travel packages and free shows. The perks are called comps. In the twentieth century, some casinos began to specialize in high rollers, who gamble for large sums of money and receive lavish personal attention.