Casino security begins on the floor, where employees keep a close eye on the games and patrons. This includes dealers who can spot cheating in real time. Other casino employees, known as pit bosses, monitor the tables for irregularities in betting and other patterns. These employees are supervised by a higher-up person.
Casinos are public venues where people can play games of chance, such as slots, roulette, or blackjack. These facilities are often upscale and offer a variety of amenities to entice visitors. They often include restaurants, free drinks, stage shows, and dramatic scenery, in addition to the gambling activities. There are, of course, less extravagant places, too, which still qualify as casinos.
However, casinos do not always pay out. The reason for this is that the industry attracts many gamblers who are addicted to gambling. These individuals generate disproportionate profits for the casinos. Statistically, five percent of casino patrons are addicted, and those people generate 25 percent of casino profits. Furthermore, some economic studies have found that casinos have a negative economic impact on the community. Because most players are local, casinos shift spending from other forms of local entertainment. In addition, the cost of treating problem gamblers and lost productivity as a result of gambling addiction can offset any economic gains derived from casinos.
As the 21st century progressed, casinos began to spread throughout Europe. In the United Kingdom, the concept of the casino was adapted and legalized. In France, the first casino was a small club for Italians. The popularity of gambling soon spread throughout the continent. The French government legalized casinos in 1933, and France is home to many of the best-known European casinos.