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105-530: The Casino Nova Scotia opened a temporary location in the Sheraton Hotel Halifax on June 1, 1995. On April 24, 2000 it moved to a brand new, $ 100-million "Vegas-style" facility on the downtown Halifax waterfront. It was originally owned by Caesar's until October 2005, when Casino Nova Scotia was bought out by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation . When the Casino was sold to Great Canadian Gaming

210-583: A Mediterranean climate , characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The climate makes it an attractive destination year-round, although the summer months tend to be the busiest. Throughout the year, Catalina Island hosts a variety of events and activities, including the Catalina Wine Mixer, the Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival, and many more cultural and outdoor events. A tourist-drawing area, Catalina

315-1041: A Schleswig-Holstein licence. AWPs are governed by federal law – the Trade Regulation Act and the Gaming Ordinance. The Casino Estoril , located in the municipality of Cascais , on the Portuguese Riviera , near Lisbon , is the largest casino in Europe by capacity. During the World War II , it was reputed to be a gathering point for spies , dispossessed royals , and wartime adventurers; it became an inspiration for Ian Fleming 's James Bond 007 novel Casino Royale . There are four legal gaming zones in Russia: "Siberian Coin" (Altay), "Yantarnaya" (Kaliningrad region), "Azov-city" (Rostov region) and "Primorie" (Primorie region). Singapore

420-583: A disjunctive population of toyon var. macrocarpa that is unique to Santa Catalina Island. The Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens on the island provide an opportunity for visitors to appreciate and learn about these endemic and native plant species. The gardens emphasize the importance of preserving and showcasing the island's exceptional flora. In addition to native and endemic species, Catalina Island has been impacted by introduced species, which were introduced by human activities. Some of these introduced species, like eucalyptus trees, have become common on

525-474: A few years and the island went back to the Lick estate. The sons of Phineas Banning bought the island in 1891 from the estate of James Lick . The Banning brothers fulfilled Shatto's dream of making Avalon a resort community with the construction of numerous tourist facilities. On November 29, 1915, a fire burned half of Avalon's buildings, including six hotels and several clubs. In the face of huge debt related to

630-437: A herd of 12 Blackbuck from India that currently live at the lower end of the cottonwood canyon near the island's airport. Mule deer were introduced to the island in the 1920s and 30s, and currently have a population density roughly 10 times that of California generally. The island was also previously home to populations of cattle , feral goat , feral pig , and sheep , but these animals are no longer present. According to

735-532: A large collection of Catalina-made pottery and tiles , ship models, and much more. The museum features dynamic exhibits on this history, an art gallery, special exhibitions traveling from around the world, and a unique Museum Store. Programs include First Fridays at the Museum, an annual tour of the historic Tuna Club , a Holiday Symphony Concert, book signings, gallery talks, an annual silent film benefit and more. From 1927 until 1937, pottery and tiles were made on

840-459: A natural part of the landscape. Native plant species have adapted to these fire cycles, and their life histories often depend on periodic burning for regeneration. In the 20th century, a shift occurred towards extensive fire suppression efforts. These efforts, while well-intentioned to safeguard property and human life, resulted in the accumulation of vegetation, leading to an increased risk of catastrophic wildfires. The suppression of fire disrupted

945-534: A pleasant albeit unidentifiable odor released by Las Vegas slot machines generated about 50% more in daily revenue. He suggested that the scent acted as an aphrodisiac, causing a more aggressive form of gambling. The following lists major casino markets in the world with casino revenue of over US$ 1 billion as published in PricewaterhouseCoopers 's report on the outlook for the global casino market: According to Bloomberg , accumulated revenue of

1050-522: A real estate speculator from Grand Rapids, Michigan . Shatto purchased the island for $ 200,000 (equivalent to $ 5.9 million in 2023 ) from the Lick estate at the height of the real estate boom in Southern California in 1887. Shatto created the settlement that would become Avalon , and can be credited with building the town's first hotel, the original Hotel Metropole, and pier. Despite Shatto's efforts, he defaulted on his loan after only

1155-570: A result of statements by Davern, and other factors, Wood's death certificate was altered to indicate the cause was "drowning and other undetermined factors" In May 2007, the Island Fire was a large wildfire in the island. Largely due to the assistance of 200 Los Angeles County fire fighters transported by U.S. Marine Corps helicopters and U.S. Navy hovercraft, only a few structures were destroyed, though 4,750 acres (1,922 hectares) of wildland were burned. In May 2011, another wildfire started near

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1260-827: A rise in the number of casinos outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. In Vietnam , the term "casinos" encompasses gambling activities within the country . Unofficially defined, a "casino" typically denotes a well-established and professional gambling establishment that is generally lawful but exclusively caters to foreign players. On the other hand, "gambling houses" or "gambling dens" are smaller, illicit gambling venues. As of 2022, Vietnam has 9 operating casinos, including: Đồ Sơn casino (Hải Phòng), Lợi Lai casino, Hoàng Gia casino ( Quảng Ninh ), Hồng Vận casino ( Quảng Ninh ), Lào Cai casino ( Lào Cai ), Silver Shores casino (Đà Nẵng), Hồ Tràm casino (Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu), Nam Hội An casino (Quảng Nam), Phú Quốc casino in Kien Giang . In

1365-482: A species may result from the extinction of the original population on the mainland combined with its continued survival on the island where there may be fewer threats to its continued existence. The most common native plant communities of Catalina Island are chaparral , coastal sage scrub , island oak-ironwood woodland, and grassland. These ecosystems are integral to the island's biodiversity and have adapted to its Mediterranean climate and conditions. Catalina Island

1470-547: A survey conducted by the Vietnamese Institute for Sustainable Regional Development and released on September 30, 2015, it was found that 71% of the respondents held the belief that allowing Vietnamese individuals to access casinos would result in an increase in the number of players. Furthermore, 47.4% of the participants expressed the view that engaging in rewarding recreational activities has a positive impact on job opportunities for residents. Additionally, 46.2% of

1575-551: A tourist attraction and restaurant, until destroyed there by fire in 1938. One of the main investors to purchase shares from the Bannings was chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley, Jr. In 1919, Wrigley bought out nearly every share-holder until he owned controlling interest in the Santa Catalina Island Company. Wrigley invested millions in needed infrastructure and attractions to the island, including

1680-507: A tourist destination in the 1920s. Since the 1970s, most of the island has been administered by the Catalina Island Conservancy . In 2022, Santa Catalina Island's population was 4,201 people, with a 51.44 percent to 48.56 percent ratio of male to female residents , 90 percent of whom live in the island's only incorporated city, Avalon . The second center of population is the unincorporated village of Two Harbors at

1785-756: A training facility in Avalon, the Coast Guard had training at Two Harbors, the Army Signal Corps maintained a radar station in the interior, the Office of Strategic Services did training at Toyon Bay, and the Navy did underwater demolition training at Emerald Bay. In 1972, the Brown Berets , a group of Latino activists, Chicanos and Mexican residents occupied Santa Catalina Island in 1972 , invoking

1890-600: A type of hybrid parrot, was first bred at Catalina Bird Park in 1940 and is named after Santa Catalina Island. Most of the island is managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy , a private nonprofit organization. The mission of the Catalina Island Conservancy is to be a steward of its lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation. The Conservancy protects the natural and cultural heritage of Santa Catalina Island, stewarding approximately 42,000 acres (170 km ) of land (88 percent of

1995-518: Is Mount Orizaba , rising to an elevation of 2,097 feet (639 meters). The island is 22 mi (35 km) long and 8 mi (13 km) across at its largest width. The island is situated in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 29 mi (47 km) south-southwest of Long Beach, California . Politically, Catalina Island is part of Los Angeles County in District 4. Most of the island's land

2100-586: Is unincorporated and is thus governed by the county. Catalina was originally inhabited and used by many different Southern California Tribes. The first European colonists to arrive on the island claimed it for the Spanish Empire . Over the years, territorial claims to the island transferred ownership to Mexico and then to the United States of America. The island was used for otter hunting and gold-digging, before successfully being developed into

2205-521: Is a climate pattern characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Conducted in the vicinity of Santa Catalina Island, a well-established research project was derived to investigate how El Niño events influence the local hydrography and the growth dynamics of giant kelp populations in the area. Data collection involved the measurement of sea surface temperatures, kelp biomass, and other pertinent environmental variables during both El Niño events and non-El Niño periods. It

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2310-467: Is an up-and-coming destination for visitors wanting to gamble, although there are currently only two casinos (both foreign owned), in Singapore. The Marina Bay Sands is the second most expensive standalone casino in the world, at a price of US$ 6.8 billion, and is among the world's ten most expensive buildings . With currently over 1,000 casinos, the United States has the largest number of casinos in

2415-554: Is based on real people and events; however, many of those events are contested by main character Semyon Dukach . Monte Carlo Casino has also been featured in multiple James Bond novels and films. The casino is mentioned in the song " The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo " as well as the film of the same name . Casinò di Campione is located in the tiny Italian enclave of Campione d'Italia , within Ticino , Switzerland. The casino

2520-472: Is different. Most casinos do not meet the requirements for certain protective measures, such as protection against airborne metal dusts from coins or hearing protection against high noise levels, though these measures are still implemented when evaluated and determined necessary. Santa Catalina Island, California Santa Catalina Island ( Spanish : Isla Santa Catalina ; often shortened to Catalina Island or Catalina , and also known as Pimu as

2625-696: Is filled with stories of entertainment based on games of chance. The first known European gambling house, not called a casino although meeting the modern definition, was the Ridotto , established in Venice , Italy, in 1638 by the Great Council of Venice to provide controlled gambling during the carnival season. It was closed in 1774 as the city government felt it was impoverishing the local gentry . In American history, early gambling establishments were known as saloons . The creation and importance of saloons

2730-481: Is heavily reliant economically on revenue from its annual visitors. Archeological evidence of human settlement dates back to 7000 BC. Prior to the modern era, the island was inhabited by the Tongva , who, had the villages, Chowigna ( San Pedro ) and Guashna ( Playa del Rey ), regularly traveled back and forth to Catalina for trade. The Tongva had settlements all over the island, with their biggest villages being at

2835-695: Is home to approximately 400 species of native plants, each playing a vital role in the island's ecosystem. Among these species, six are considered endemic, meaning they are found only on Catalina Island and nowhere else in the world. These endemics include the Catalina manzanita ( Arctostaphylos catalinae ); Catalina mahogany ( Cercocarpus traskiae ); Catalina dudleya ( Dudleya hassei ); St. Catherine's lace ( Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum ); Santa Catalina bedstraw ( Galium catalinense ssp. catalinense ); and Santa Catalina Island ironwood ( Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus ). Additionally, there's

2940-623: Is home to five native land mammals: the island fox , the Spermophilus beecheyi nesioticus subspecies of California ground squirrel , the Santa Catalina Island harvest mouse ( Reithrodontomys megalotis catalinae ), the Santa Catalina Island deer mouse ( Peromyscus maniculatus catalinae ), and the ornate shrew ( Sorex ornatus ). Only one ornate shrew was ever found, from a now-developed spring area above Avalon. Shrews are difficult to capture and may survive in wetter areas of

3045-568: Is of Italian origin; the root casa means a house. The term casino may mean a small country villa , summerhouse , or social club . During the 19th century, casino came to include other public buildings where pleasurable activities took place; such edifices were usually built on the grounds of a larger Italian villa or palazzo , and were used to host civic town functions, including dancing, gambling, music listening, and sports. Examples in Italy include Villa Farnese and Villa Giulia , and in

3150-767: Is rich in quartz , to the extent that some beaches on the seaward side have silvery-grey sand. These deposits provide insights into the island's history, as they contain fossils of ancient marine life. The island is situated along the boundary of two tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. This boundary is marked by the San Andreas Fault and the East Pacific Rise. The islands in this region have been shaped by tectonic uplift and volcanic activity. This means that

3255-485: Is road strikes; to combat this, the Conservancy installed new signage about Island Foxes. The Conservancy also introduced wild-life proof trash cans to protect foxes from human garbage, informs boaters about the possibility and danger of wildlife stowaways, and asks dog owners to keep their animals leashed. The Institute for Wildlife Studies, a separate conservation organization, has worked to restore bald eagles to

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3360-508: Is the second, and much smaller, resort village on the island. Located at the isthmus of the island, northwest of Avalon, it is the primary landing spot for those who wish to tour the western half of the island. It is accessible by boat from San Pedro and by bus or boat from Avalon. While tourists rarely have an opportunity to surf , two beaches on the back side of Catalina offer good waves: Shark Harbor and Ben Weston Beach. There are also two camps, Catalina Island Camps and Camp Emerald Bay, on

3465-554: Is unique to the island and has been studied for its geologic significance. It is believed to be one of the oldest rocks on the island. The geology of Catalina Island is also important for conservation efforts. The Catalina Island Conservancy plays a role in protecting and managing the island's natural resources, including its geological formations. Santa Catalina Island has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate ( Köppen climate classification Csb ) with very mild winters. The National Weather Service maintains cooperative weather records at

3570-485: Is usually divided between a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The physical security force usually patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance and reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. A specialized surveillance department operates the casino's closed-circuit-television system, known in the industry as the eye in the sky . Both of these specialized casino security departments work very closely with each other to ensure

3675-636: The American Mafia and in Macau by Triad syndicates . According to some police reports, local incidence of reported crime often doubles or triples within three years of a casino's opening. In a 2004 report by the US Department of Justice, researchers interviewed people who had been arrested in Las Vegas and Des Moines and found that the percentage of problem or pathological gamblers among

3780-528: The Catalina Airport in the Sky, which is located on a hilltop and offers scenic views of the island. Catalina Island is known for its diverse ecosystems, which include coastal scrub , chaparral , oak woodlands , grasslands , and coastal marine environments. It is also home to various native and introduced species, both on land and in the surrounding waters. Unique species include the island fox and

3885-617: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology , highlights the decision of the audio directors at Silicon Gaming to make its slot machines resonate in "the universally pleasant tone of C, sampling existing casino soundscapes to create a sound that would please but not clash". Alan Hirsch, founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago , studied the impact of certain scents on gamblers, discerning that

3990-454: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo , which has no mention of the islands. On February 15, 1975, Philip Wrigley deeded 42,135 acres (17,051 hectares) of the island from the Santa Catalina Island Company to the Catalina Island Conservancy that he had helped to establish in 1972. This gave the Conservancy control of nearly 90 percent of the island. The balance of the Santa Catalina Island Company that

4095-456: The 1920s to 1930s, several bison were brought onto Catalina Island for a movie. The bison are popular with the tourists and buildings have painted images of bison and bison weather vanes. Over the decades, the bison herd grew to as many as 600. The population numbered approximately 150 in 2009. Other non-native animals currently living on the island include the bullfrog , feral cat , California mule deer , Norway rat , European starling , and

4200-475: The Catalina Island Conservancy, there are 37 resident bird species on the island. Considerably more marine, pelagic, and migrating birds frequent the island, and 127 species have been reported to the Cornell University eBird database from 10 different eBird hotspots. There are several live camera feeds showing bald eagle nests on the island; nests are active February–July. In the waters surrounding

4305-562: The Catalina fox community has been restored to more than 1570 in 2018. However, mysterious, usually fatal ear tumors continue to plague the Catalina fox. Three Catalina Island Conservancy wildlife biologists continue to monitor the population through pit tagging, trapping and inspection. The conservancy group vaccinates around 300 foxes every year and monitors 50 unvaccinated foxes via radio collar to watch for signs of new disease outbreaks. The current leading cause of death among Island Foxes

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4410-452: The Catalina two striped garter snake. The city of Avalon, California , located on the island's eastern side, is the primary population center and serves as the hub for tourism. Visitors can explore Avalon's streets, visit museums, dine in restaurants, and enjoy various water-based activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat tours. The island offers opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and wildlife watching. Catalina Island enjoys

4515-742: The Europeans were forbidden to trade with colonies. However, this policy was short lasted as the island lacked the ships to enforce this prohibition; also, much of the colonies wanted to trade with other European powers. During the period stretching from the late 18th to early 19th centuries, Russian hunters from the Aleutian Islands , particularly the Russian-American Company , visited Catalina Island as part of their fur trading expeditions. They were primarily interested in harvesting sea otters for their valuable fur, which led to

4620-545: The Island. Glass bottom boats tour the reefs and shipwrecks of the area, and scuba diving and snorkeling are popular in the clear water. Lover's Cove, to the east of Avalon, and Descanso Beach, to the west of the Casino, are popular places to dive. At Casino Point is the Avalon Underwater Dive Park, which was the first non-profit underwater park in the United States. The area flying fish and

4725-564: The Isthmus Yacht Club and was fought by 120 firefighters transported by barge from Los Angeles. It was extinguished the next day after burning 117 acres (47 ha). Catalina Island is a part of the Channel Islands of California, which are a chain of eight islands located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California. These islands are often referred to as the Channel Islands archipelago. They are not part of

4830-602: The Isthmus and at present-day Avalon, Shark/Little Harbor, and Emerald Bay. They were renowned for their mining, working and the trade of soapstone which was found in great quantities and varieties on the island. This material was in great demand and was traded along the California coast. The island was valued for its natural resources, but was also respected by the Tongva as an important "ceremonial center" with connections to

4935-410: The Santa Catalina Island Company passed down to his son, Philip K. Wrigley , who continued his father's work improving the infrastructure of the island. During World War II , the island was closed to tourists and used for military training facilities. Catalina's steamships were expropriated for use as troop transports and a number of military camps were established. The U.S. Maritime Service set up

5040-549: The Santa Catalina Island land-mass was never directly connected to mainland California. Other geologic factors that contributed to the island topography include further geologic uplift and subsidence, tectonic plate movement, sedimentation, metamorphic activity, weathering, and erosion. The island's landscape is characterized by rugged terrain, including steep cliffs, canyons, and rolling hills. There are also geologic features such as sea caves and marine terraces along

5145-517: The Santa Catalina airport. The average January temperatures are a maximum of 58.4 °F (14.7 °C) and a minimum of 47.6 °F (8.7 °C). Average July temperatures are a maximum of 78.1 °F (25.6 °C) and a minimum of 60.0 °F (15.6 °C). There are an average of 12.5 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 0.3 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature

5250-642: The US the Newport Casino in Newport, Rhode Island . In modern-day Italian, a casino is a brothel (also called casa chiusa , literally "closed house"), a mess (confusing situation), or a noisy environment; a gaming house is spelt casinò , with an accent . Not all casinos are used for gaming. The Catalina Casino , on Santa Catalina Island, California , has never been used for traditional games of chance, which were already outlawed in California by

5355-435: The US's second largest gambling city. Most jurisdictions worldwide have a minimum gambling age of 18 to 21. Customers gamble by playing games of chance , in some cases with an element of skill, such as craps , roulette , baccarat , blackjack , and video poker . Most games have mathematically determined odds that ensure the house has at all times an advantage over the players. This can be expressed more precisely by

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5460-453: The United States say that a player staking money won from the casino is "playing with the house's money". Video lottery machines ( slot machines ) have become one of the most popular forms of gambling in casinos. As of 2011 investigative reports have started calling into question whether the modern-day slot-machine is addictive. Factors influencing gambling tendencies include sound, odour and lighting. Natasha Dow Schüll, an anthropologist at

5565-727: The affiliated Sheraton Hotel was sold separately to the Marriott Corporation . In 2007, workers at the casino voted in favor of organizing a labour union . The casino has 650 slots and table games. There is an attached 550-car parkade , including 14 wheelchair-accessible spaces. The casino is connected via pedway to the Marriott Halifax Harbourfront, formerly the Casino Nova Scotia Hotel and Sheraton Hotel Halifax. The pedway also connects to Purdy's Wharf , Scotia Square , and

5670-405: The arrestees was three to five times higher than in the general population. It has been said that economic studies showing a positive relationship between casinos and crime usually fail to consider the visiting population: they count crimes committed by visitors but do not count visitors in the population measure, which overstates the crime rate. Part of the reason this methodology is used, despite

5775-452: The biggest casino operator companies worldwide amounted to almost US$ 55 billion in 2011. SJM Holdings Ltd. was the leading company in this field, earning $ 9.7 bn in 2011, followed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. at $ 7.4 bn. The third-biggest casino operator company (based on revenue) was Caesars Entertainment , with revenue of US$ 6.2 bn. While there are casinos in many places, a few places have become well known specifically for gambling. Perhaps

5880-499: The bright orange Garibaldi are attractions. Parasailing is also offered. Jeep and bus tours are given of the interior, which is a conservation area managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy. The Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority operates the official island visitor center on the Green Pleasure Pier and provides visitor services assists tourists with any information on how to get to Catalina Island. Two Harbors

5985-642: The cards they are holding in their hands visible at all times. Over the past few decades, casinos have developed many different marketing techniques for attracting and maintaining loyal patrons. Many casinos use a loyalty rewards program used to track players' spending habits and target their patrons more effectively, by sending mailings with free slot play and other promotions. Casino Helsinki in Helsinki , Finland, for example, donates all of its profits to charity. Casinos have been linked to organised crime , with early casinos in Las Vegas originally dominated by

6090-406: The coastline. Catalina Island has been a site of interest for geologists and researchers studying island geology, as well as the processes of island formation, uplift, and erosion. The island's geology has also contributed to the understanding of tectonic plate interactions in the region. One of the most notable geological features on Catalina Island is the " Catalina Schist. " This metamorphic rock

6195-421: The company's history. The size of the site meant that part of the building was built over water 70 feet deep (at its deepest point). Most of the land that the casino occupies had been created years earlier when that part of Halifax Harbour was infilled with loose rock and excavation material from other construction sites — reclaimed land was too soft to serve as a stable building foundation . BMR overcame

6300-562: The construction of the Catalina Casino which opened on May 29, 1929. Wrigley also sought to bring publicity to the island through events and spectacles. Starting in 1921, the Chicago Cubs , also owned by Wrigley, used the island for the team's spring training . The Cubs continued to use the island for spring training until 1951, except during the war years of 1942 to 1945. Following the death of Wrigley, Jr. in 1932, control of

6405-625: The decimation of the local sea otter population. The hunting by the Russian-American caused a profound ecological impact on the marine life around Catalina Island by depleting a keystone species. With its numerous hidden coves and relatively low population, the island has been considered a potentially attractive location for pirates and smugglers, much like other coastal areas. While there are historical indications that such activities may have occurred at various times, concrete documented accounts of piracy or significant smuggling operations on

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6510-738: The decline of the Pimugnans because of diseases brought by the Spanish from Europe. By the 1830s, the island's entire native population had been forced to the mainland on the Spanish missions or to work as ranch hands for the many private land owners. In the late 18th century, the Franciscan friars considered building a mission on Catalina, but abandoned the idea due to the island's rugged terrain, small population size, and lack of fresh water. While Spain maintained its claim on Catalina Island,

6615-531: The downtown core. There are several drinking and dining facilities in the casino, including nightly buffets and Sunday Brunch buffet in the 3Sixty Buffet Restaurant, casual dining and live entertainment in the 3Sixty Lounge, and concerts, conventions and other attractions in the Compass Room and the Schooner room. Engineered by BMR of Halifax, the casino has been described as one of the most complicated in

6720-608: The fire and the subsequent decline in tourism due to World War I , the Banning brothers were forced to sell the island in shares in 1919. On May 10, 1912 Glenn L. Martin flew a homemade seaplane in to Avalon, setting records for distance and time. In 1917 the Meteor Company purchased the Chinese pirate ship Ning Po , the oldest pirate ship afloat, built in 1753, and towed her to the Isthmus of Catalina Island for use as

6825-633: The historic casino located at the princely residence of Dragonara . Dragonara Palace was built in 1870. Its name comes from the Dragonara Point, the peninsula where it is built. On 15 July 1964, the palace opened as a casino. The former Portuguese colony of Macau , a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China since 1999, is a popular destination for visitors who wish to gamble. This started in Portuguese times, when Macau

6930-403: The imposition of taxes, or obtaining of other revenue. In 2007, the casino moved into new premises of more than 55,000 square metres (590,000 sq ft), making it the largest casino in Europe. The new casino was built alongside the old one, which dated from 1933 and has since been demolished. The archipelago of Malta is a particularly famous place for casinos, standing out mainly with

7035-478: The island and can sometimes outcompete native flora. Conservation efforts, led by organizations such as the Catalina Island Conservancy, aim to manage and control invasive species to protect the native ecosystem. Catalina Island has also been a focal point for botanical research, attracting botanists and researchers who study the island's unique plant species. These studies contribute to our understanding of plant adaptation, island ecology, and conservation. The island

7140-400: The island are limited. During the 1850s and 1860s, Catalina Island witnessed a minor gold rush, as part of the larger California Gold Rush of that era. Gold miners arrived on the island in search of valuable minerals. However, their scale and success was nothing to be compared to the more prosperous gold rush locations in California. The historical evidence regarding substantial gold deposits on

7245-480: The island arrived by chance by blowing over on the wind, drifting or swimming over the ocean, or flown over by wing. Starting with the Native Americans, animals and plants have also been introduced by humans, both intentionally and accidentally. Catalina is home to at least fifty endemic species and subspecies that occur naturally on the island and nowhere else in the world. This limited distribution of

7350-721: The island at the Catalina Clay Products Company , and these items are now highly sought-after collectibles. Children in Avalon attend schools in the Long Beach Unified School District . There were two schools on Catalina Island. Two Harbors was served by a one-room school house, but it closed down in 2014; students must now travel to Avalon for all grades K–12. Avalon schools are housed on one main campus that includes Avalon Elementary School, Avalon Middle School and Avalon High School. Thousands of school-age youths travel from

7455-403: The island on Conservancy land since the late 1970s. Bald eagles had been common on the island until the 1960s, when it is believed that the effects of dumping the pesticide DDT off the coast of Southern California made it impossible for eagles to successfully hatch their young. The reintroduction of the bald eagle to the island may also edge out an invasive golden eagle population that threatens

7560-526: The island remains inconclusive. In 1846, Californio Governor Pío Pico made a Mexican land grant of the Island of Santa Catalina to Thomas M. Robbins, as Rancho Santa Catalina. Robbins established a small ranch on the island, but sold it in 1850 to José María Covarrubias . A claim was filed with the Public Land Commission in 1853, and in 1867, the grant was officially patented to José María Covarrubias . Covarrubias, in turn, sold

7665-418: The island to Albert Packard of Santa Barbara in 1853. By 1864, the entirety of Catalina Island was under the ownership of James Lick , whose estate maintained control over the island for the following approximately 25 years. By the end of the 19th century, the island was almost uninhabited except for a few cattle herders. The first owner to try to develop Avalon into a resort destination was George Shatto ,

7770-403: The island's isthmus . Development also occurs at the smaller settlements of Rancho Escondido and Middle Ranch. The remaining population is scattered over the island between the two population centers. Today, the popular tourist destination can be reached via ferry services from mainland California, with the most common departure point being the city of Long Beach. The island also has an airport,

7875-469: The island), 50 mi (80 km) of shoreline, an airport, and more than 200 mi (320 km) of roads. One of the Conservancy's key goals is the conservation of the island fox, an endangered endemic species. In 1999, all but 100 out of 1,300 foxes on Catalina Island were wiped out because of a virulent strain of canine distemper . Following a successful recovery program which included captive breeding, distemper vaccinations and population monitoring,

7980-445: The island, there are schools of fish like Garibaldi , California sheephead , leopard sharks , white seabass , yellowtail , bat rays , giant sea bass , and many more. Great white sharks are also occasionally found or caught off the coast of Catalina, though usually around seal rookeries and not around inhabited areas. Common marine mammals around Catalina include California sea lions and harbor seals . The Catalina macaw ,

8085-495: The island. The Catalina orangetip butterfly is a notable insect on the island. The Southern Pacific rattlesnake ( Crotalus oreganus helleri ) is also present on the island. This species should not be confused for the Santa Catalina rattlesnake , found on Santa Catalina Island, Mexico. The Catalina Island bison herd consists of American Plains Bison maintained and monitored by the Catalina Island Conservancy. In

8190-545: The island. Overgrazing by these introduced animals led to the removal of native vegetation and substantially altered the composition of plant communities. As a result, this overgrazing caused notable changes in the island's ecosystem dynamics, influencing both its flora and fauna. The ecological effects of grazing practices raised legitimate concerns about habitat degradation and the decline of native plant species on Santa Catalina Island. Conservationists and environmentalists responded by considering management strategies to address

8295-438: The largest concentration of casinos in the United States. Based on revenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey , ranks second, and the Chicago region third. Top American casino markets by revenue (2022 annual revenues): The Nevada Gaming Control Board divides Clark County , which is coextensive with the Las Vegas metropolitan area, into seven market regions for reporting purposes. Native American gaming has been responsible for

8400-632: The mainland but are remnants of an ancient mountain range. Catalina is primarily composed of two distinct rock units: Catalina Schist from the Early Cretaceous (95 to 109 million years ago), and Miocene volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks . The geological makeup of Catalina Island is primarily igneous and metamorphic rock. The island is composed of a variety of rock types, including basalt, schist, granite, and limestone. These rocks originated from volcanic eruptions, magma intrusions, and sedimentary deposits over millions of years. The island

8505-425: The native island fox. Grazing practices on Santa Catalina Island have a historical legacy dating back to the late 19th century when ranching operations were established. During this period, livestock, primarily sheep and cattle , were introduced to the island, marking the beginning of a substantial human impact on its ecology. The introduction of herbivores for grazing had significant ecological consequences for

8610-533: The natural fire regimes that had shaped the region for millennia and had unintended ecological consequences, including changes in plant composition and fuel load. Contemporary fire management on the island strives to strike a balance between the ecological role of fire and the necessity of protecting human structures and lives. This involves a more nuanced approach that recognizes the importance of fire in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Controlled burns, also known as prescribed fires, are one technique employed to reduce

8715-611: The negative impacts of grazing and to protect the island's unique flora. This prompted the implementation of conservation efforts to manage and mitigate the ecological consequences of livestock grazing, with the goal of preserving the island's natural heritage. Fire is an intrinsic element of the Mediterranean climate in Southern California, and it has played a crucial role in shaping the region's ecosystems over time. Historically, fires occurred infrequently but were

8820-429: The northeastern end of the island that offer summer camps for children and Boy Scouts. The Catalina Island Museum, formerly located in the historic Catalina Casino but since 2016 in a standalone building, is also an attraction as it is the keeper of the island's cultural heritage with collections numbering over 100,000 items and including over 8,000 years of Native American history, over 10,000 photographs and images,

8925-405: The notion of expected value , which is uniformly negative (from the player's perspective). This advantage is called the house edge . In games such as poker where players play against each other, the house takes a commission called the rake . Casinos sometimes give out complimentary items or comps to gamblers. Payout is the percentage of funds ("winnings") returned to players. Casinos in

9030-450: The overstatement, is that reliable data on tourist count are often not available. Casinos are subject to specific regulations for worker safety, as casino employees are both at greater risk for cancers resulting from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motions while running table games over many hours. These are not the extent of the hazards casino workers may be exposed to, but every location

9135-536: The place almost defined by its casino is Monte Carlo, but other places are known as gambling centers. Monte Carlo Casino , located in Monte Carlo city, in Monaco , is a casino and a tourist attraction. Monte Carlo Casino has been depicted in many books, including Ben Mezrich 's Busting Vegas , where a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students beat the casino out of nearly $ 1 million. This book

9240-525: The problem by engineering a design which incorporated driving caissons through the fill material and into the bedrock below. Then, using a specially designed doughnut-shaped pile cap as a support system, the engineers worked with the form work contractor to hang the casino's floor structure on the supporting caissons like a huge wharf. Casino Nova Scotia added a sister casino in Sydney on August 1, 1995. The casino, located on George St. in downtown Sydney,

9345-420: The respondents believed that such activities contribute positively to Vietnam's ability to attract investments. Given the large amounts of currency handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat and steal, in collusion or independently; most casinos have security measures to prevent this. Security cameras located throughout the casino are the most basic measure. Modern casino security

9450-576: The risk of severe wildfires. These managed fires are intentionally set under controlled conditions to reduce excess vegetation and restore natural fire regimes. Other strategies, such as fuel reduction efforts and public education, are also integral to fire management on Santa Catalina Island. The goal is to protect both human communities and the island's ecological integrity while respecting the historical role of fire in shaping its landscapes. Over one million people travel to Catalina Island every year, accounting for $ 166.7 million in annual direct spending on

9555-596: The safety of both guests and the casino's assets, and have been quite successful in preventing crime. Some casinos also have catwalks in the ceiling above the casino floor, which allow surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one way glass, on the activities at the tables and slot machines. When it opened in 1989, The Mirage was the first casino to use cameras full-time on all table games. In addition to cameras and other technological measures, casinos also enforce security through rules of conduct and behavior; for example, players at card games are required to keep

9660-563: The time it was built. The Copenhagen Casino was a Danish theatre which also held public meetings during the 1848 Revolution , which made Denmark a constitutional monarchy . In military and non-military usage, a casino (Spanish) or Kasino (German) is an officers' mess . The precise origin of gambling is unknown. It is generally believed that gambling in some form or another has been seen in almost every society in history. From Ancient Mesopotamia , Greeks and Romans to Napoleon's France and Elizabethan England , much of history

9765-640: The traditional name of the Indigenous people of the Tongva Tribe) is a rocky island , part of the Channel Islands , off the coast of Southern California in the Gulf of Santa Catalina . The island covers an area of about 75 square miles (194 square kilometers). It features a diverse and rugged landscape, including rolling hills, canyons, coastal cliffs, and sandy beaches. The island's highest peak

9870-461: The village of Povuu'nga , located in present-day Long Beach . During European colonization , The first European to set foot on the island was the Portuguese explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo , who sailed to the west coast in the name of the Spanish crown . On October 7, 1542, he claimed the island for Spain and named it “ San Salvador” after his ship. Although his interactions with Catalina Island are not well-documented, his main achievement

9975-424: The warm waters accompanying El Niño which can have detrimental consequences for kelp as the warm water disrupts the normal nutrient-rich upwelling, a process vital for kelp growth. Since Catalina Island was never connected to mainland California, it originally lacked any terrestrial life. Any plants or animals that arrived on the island had to make their way across miles of open ocean. The original species to come to

10080-443: The world. The number continues to grow steadily as more states seek to legalize casinos. 40 states now have some form of casino gambling. Interstate competition, such as gaining tourism, has been a driving factor to continuous legalization. Relatively small places such as Las Vegas are best known for gambling; larger cities such as Chicago are not defined by their casinos in spite of the large turnover. The Las Vegas Valley has

10185-437: Was 105 °F (41 °C) on July 6, 2018, and the record low temperature was 29 °F (−2 °C) on January 11, 1949. Coastal high fog is common during summer, but usually burns off by the afternoon. Average annual precipitation at the airport is 13.73 inches (34.9 cm); the highest mountain peaks get up to 17 inches (43 cm) per year. There are an average of 45 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year

10290-530: Was 1952 with 21.74 inches (55.2 cm) and the driest year was 1964 with 5.53 inches (14.0 cm). The most precipitation in one month was 7.81 inches (19.8 cm) in January 1952. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 2.95 inches (7.5 cm) on December 5, 1966. Snowfall is a rarity on the island, averaging only 0.4 inches (1.0 cm) a year at the airport, but 4.0 inches (10 cm) fell in 1949, including 3.0 inches (7.6 cm) in January. El Niño

10395-625: Was concluded that this temperature rise has had diverse effects on the local hydrography, including shifts in water circulation patterns, heightened nutrient availability, and alterations in light penetration. Macrocystis pyrifera , a species of giant kelp, is a pivotal component of the underwater ecosystem of Catalina Island. The study discerned both positive and negative effects of El Niño events on giant kelp The Positive Effects were that El Niño caused an increase in nutrient levels, resulting from shifts in ocean currents, which, in turn, benefited kelp growth in certain areas. The Negative Effects were

10500-398: Was constructed as an addition to the city's Centre 200 . Casino A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling . Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels , resorts , restaurants , retail shops , cruise ships , and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports. Casino

10605-519: Was founded in 1917 as a site to gather information from foreign diplomats during the First World War. Today it is owned by the Italian government, and operated by the municipality. With gambling laws being less strict than in Italy and Switzerland, it is among the most popular gambling destination besides Monte Carlo. The income from the casino is sufficient for the operation of Campione without

10710-541: Was greatly influenced by four major cities: New Orleans , St. Louis , Chicago and San Francisco . It was in the saloons that travelers could find people to talk to, drink with, and often gamble with. During the early 20th century in the US, gambling was outlawed by state legislation. However, in 1931, gambling was legalized throughout the state of Nevada , where the US's first legalized casinos were set up. In 1976 New Jersey allowed gambling in Atlantic City , now

10815-417: Was in mapping and exploring the coastline, which helped lay the foundation for future European expeditions and settlements in California. Over half a century later, another Spanish explorer, Sebastián Vizcaíno , arrived at the island on the eve of Saint Catherine 's day (November 24) of 1602. Vizcaino renamed the island in the saint's honor. The colonization of California by the Spanish greatly contributed to

10920-536: Was not deeded to the Conservancy maintains control of much of its resort properties and operations on the island. Actress Natalie Wood drowned in the waters near the settlement of Two Harbors over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 1981 in what was ruled an accidental death. Wood and her husband, Robert Wagner , were vacationing aboard their motor yacht, Splendour, along with their guest, Christopher Walken , and Splendour 's captain, Dennis Davern. As

11025-443: Was popular with visitors from nearby Hong Kong , where gambling was more closely regulated. The Venetian Macao is currently the largest casino in the world. Macau also surpassed Las Vegas as the largest gambling market in the world. Machine-based gaming is only permitted in land-based casinos, restaurants, bars and gaming halls, and only subject to a licence. Online slots are, at the moment, only permitted if they are operated under

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