To ensure the safety of patrons, casinos have elaborate surveillance systems. They monitor every corner, window and doorway in the casino, and monitor every table and slot machine. Cameras are set to record video feeds for later review. Casinos are also notorious for their lack of clocks, which pose a major fire risk. Slot machine payouts are determined by computer chips inside the machines. Therefore, no one watches the slot floor, and the casino has to use a random number generator to decide how many cards a player wins.
While casinos do provide an opportunity to indulge in a little gambling, it can also cause problems for people. Studies have found that people addicted to gambling generate disproportionate profits for casinos. According to one study, five percent of casino patrons are addicted to gambling, and they contribute to twenty-five percent of casino profits. In addition to causing harm to individuals, economic studies have shown that casinos have a negative impact on communities, as they primarily attract local players. As a result, casino gambling can reduce local spending on other forms of entertainment. The cost of treating problem gamblers and the lost productivity from their addictions can offset any economic gains.
There is an ongoing controversy over whether or not casinos are legal. Some states are not allowed to license casinos, but some do. Gambling on American Indian reservations is legal. Most American states have antigambling laws. Other countries, such as Puerto Rico, have casinos. In addition to casinos in Las Vegas, they are found in countries like Puerto Rico and South America. However, the Havana casino closed in 1959 due to the revolution in Cuba. In the meantime, there are over 3,000 legal casinos worldwide.
