The origin of the term casino is often argued by many, but history has it that the word casino got it’s roots from the word Casa which means a little house in Italian. Therefore it is theorised that the term originated in Italy and originally means a house or a social club. As time went by, the term casino began to spread until it gained a wider popularity in the 19th century. In contemporary society casinos are found in public buildings and social gatherings, very close to relaxation and pleasurable spots.
This localization of a casino is dependent on how social the community is because the original casinos were built in a larger Italian villa. Casinos were originally designed to host some functions such as gambling, and sports. These have metamorphosed into the casinos of today where ultimately their work is to enable people to gamble. Some casinos are known to host live events like live sport contests amongst other entertainment. The gaming industry handles casino legislation although there is argument amongst experts who weigh the advantages and disadvantages of casinos. In some countries, Casinos have been legalized and in turn witness huge turnouts due to increased unemployment.
Contemporary Casinos
Casinos have come a long way since their dawn, and the modern casino includes all the latest technology used to encourage people to spend more of their hard earned cash. The variety of games has also expanded, check out some of the notable games that can be found in a contemporary casino:
Poker
This is a card game always based on a 5 card hand. Although there are many versions of this game, generally poker is played by ranking the hand from the lowest to the highest like high card, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight etc., the player with the best hand wins.
Craps
Craps is a dice game that is based on seven. This is a very popular game that often draws crowds to spectate while the players bet around the table. The main focus of this game is the pass line. 7 and 11 win on this pass line while 2, 3 and 12 lose. Other numbers rolled become an extra point.
Blackjack
Blackjack is another casino card game, played between the player and house. After the dealer deals out two cards to each player and their self, the dealer face a card up and another down. The players then try to get as close to 21 without exceeding the 21 limit.
Slots
Slots are game machines that feature a variety of different types of games and are very popular in casinos throughout the world. They are played by inserting coins into the machine and either pulling a handle or pressing a button which make the wheels of the machine spin.
Regulation
Casinos have had to increase spending in order to reduce government’s regulation which has undoubtedly been harmful to the growth of the industry nationally. Casinos have however resorted to other means such as the internet and other forms of online gambling in order to increase revenue streams. This has generated huge revenue as gambling is put into the living rooms of those who enjoy a bit of gambling, it is literally at their fingertips. To help sway government legislation casino businesses will make contributions to matters of national interest, for example in the US in the 2014 election, the industry generated a total sum of nearly $23.4 million, with 51% of it going to the Democrat party (though that was down slightly from the record $71.6 million given in 2012 – a presidential election year).
There are advantages and disadvantages of the casino industry, modern day casinos are being built to tackle crime by equipping themselves with all the latest and necessary anti-crime facilities and technology. Owing to the huge amount of revenue they generate, employees at times are moved to steal from the hand that feeds them. This is being reduced however to the barest minimum by the installation of security cameras which are fitted and constantly monitored throughout the casino.
Modern casinos have a dramatically increased security system which is usually divided into a specialist surveillance security team and a physical security force. The physical security as the names implies responds to distress calls and report on any suspicious activities or actual crimes that they witness. On the other hand, the surveillance team operates as the casinos eye in the sky monitoring the activity from viewpoints that the physical security force wouldn’t be able to. Above all, the surveillance team will work hand in hand with the physical security force to combine their resources to ensure that no crime goes unpunished. Some casinos also have catwalks in their roofs above the casino floor, which allow security to spy on the activities at the tables and slot machines.
However, security cameras are not the only technological measures, rules of behaviour are enforced in order to avoid cheating as players at card games are required to keep the cards they are holding in their hands visible for transparency for anyone outside of the game itself. Modern casinos have been designed to accommodate families and not just the usual gamblers you associate with these establishments. Some casinos offer theme parks, luxurious hotels, sporting venues, department stores for everyone to enjoy. These amenities increase visitors as well as income.
The casino industry also makes a big contribution to solving the unemployment problem to a great extent. The community where a casino is established often witness full employment and there are often additional important benefits for nearby communities such as contributions to local government. There are a huge range of roles that are filled from security guards to chefs to waitresses and many others. among others.
Unfortunately casinos also have a dark side and cause a lot of controversy in a number of circles. Where casinos are built crime will often follow and an increased crime rate has been a proven correlation with casinos. In 2004, the US department of justice, researchers interviewed people arrested in Las Vegas and Des Mones and found that the rate of pathological gamblers among those arrested was three to five times higher than in the general population. A report from police authorities have indicated that there is an increase in crime rate often double or more within a few years of opening a casino. Despite all the gambling laws, new technology and increased security discussed above, cheating still prevails. Casinos are also associated with not paying their tax, they often tolerate or ignore the use of drugs, alcohols and prostitution and most of these are improperly managed. That’s not to mention the huge problems associated with people becoming addicted to gambling!
Finally, while some countries allow casinos some have created rules and control legislation in the form of control acts. An example of a country that enforces this is Singapore where gambling was completely illegal until the casino control act of 2006 was brought into force. This was created to regulate the operations and gaming in casinos in preparation for the opening of integrated resorts.
There are laws governing the establishment of this industry in all countries and this law should be continually enforced and adhered to so a place of social activity and entertainment does not turn into a play ground for criminals.