Casinos

Casinos are spread throughout the world, but have within the last twenty years mushroomed in size and numbers in the United States. They first sprang up in the United States in the state of Nevada. Gambling became legal in that state in 1931, and casinos were quick to follow. Nevada remained the only state to honor legalized gambling until the late 1970's when Atlantic City, New Jersey opened its doors to gambling, as well. From that time on, forms of gambling have expanded and the casinos to house them have popped up in numerous states around the country. Many casinos in Nevada and New Jersey have taken on particular themes of interest over the years. The El Rancho in Las Vegas was one of the originals to carry a country and western theme. Other themes have included Caribbean islands, Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, New York, Volcanic Islands, and many more. As the demand for more rooms and more casinos has grown in the latter half of the twentieth century, so has the competition for new and innovative themes. Outside of Nevada and New Jersey, Native American Indians were the first group to bring gambling and casinos to other parts of America. In 1987 the United States court system granted Indians the right to open casinos on reservations

based on sovereignty rights. Native Americans have built some of the largest casinos in the United States. To avoid the legal ramifications of gambling on land, many states have required the games of chance to be carried out on waterways. From this the riverboat casino was established along the Mississippi river and many other tributaries in the early 1990's. The legalization of games of chance throughout the United States has created a need for houses to hold them. Although bingo parlors, dog and horse tracks, and bookie joints have been around throughout the years, casinos are still the only venue in which a gambler can take his or her pick of many different gambling options.