A casino is a building or room where gambling games are played. It may be combined with a hotel, restaurant, amusement park, or other tourist attraction. There have been many forms of gambling throughout history and in almost every culture, but casinos are the most famous places where these activities take place. Modern casinos offer a wide variety of games and services to attract visitors and customers.
Modern casinos use security measures to prevent crime, including cameras in all areas and a specialized surveillance department that operates the cameras’ closed circuit television system (sometimes called an “eye-in-the-sky”). Some casinos use more advanced technology, such as chip tracking, which electronically monitors bets minute by minute and warns staff of any deviation from expected results; and electronic systems in roulette wheels, which are monitored regularly to discover any statistical anomalies.
Casinos also employ a wide range of human methods to deter crime. They provide large bettors with special inducements in the form of free spectacular entertainment, transportation and elegant living quarters, while limiting small bettors’ losses by requiring them to bet a certain percentage of their bankroll.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently; hence, most casinos have strict security measures. These include security cameras placed throughout the premises, and a lack of windows and clocks to make it difficult for people to keep track of how long they’ve been gambling.
