The casino industry generates billions of dollars each year and, despite some concerns over its addictive nature and the social cost of gambling addiction, it appears to be as popular now as ever. So what’s the secret to its longevity? What’s the reason that people continue to invest their money and time in this industry that’s as old as civilization itself?

Casinos provide jobs to local workers and draw visitors who spend their money on food, lodging and entertainment. The revenue that casinos bring in also helps cities fund police and fire services and avoid raising taxes elsewhere.

However, some studies have shown that casinos often make a negative impact on their host communities’ economies. They may lead to a decrease in spending on other forms of local entertainment, and the cost of treating problem gamblers may offset whatever economic benefits they generate. In addition, casinos attract local players rather than tourists and may compete with other local gambling establishments, which reduces their overall economic impact.

In the past, mob money flowed into Reno and Las Vegas casinos and gave them a seamy image that was hard to shake. But legitimate businessmen, such as real estate investors and hotel chains, eventually saw the potential of casinos and bought out many of the gangsters’ interests. Nowadays, casinos have high-tech surveillance systems that give security personnel a high-definition “eye-in-the-sky” view of every table, window and doorway. This eye-in-the-sky technology allows security workers to monitor suspicious patrons more closely and quickly detect any attempts at cheating, stealing or colluding with casino employees.