A casino is a place where people play games of chance for money or other prizes. These games include slot machines, keno, blackjack, roulette, and craps. People also gamble at racetracks and card rooms. Casinos often feature restaurants, bars, and live entertainment. Some casinos are world famous, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco.
The modern casino is a high-tech operation, with a computerized system that tracks patrons’ use of the gaming tables and slot machines. The system tallys up “comps,” or complimentary items, such as free meals, drinks, shows, and rooms. The more a person gambles, the more comps he or she gets. This information helps the casino make strategic decisions about promoting gambling and maintaining a profitable business model.
Casinos draw visitors from all over the world. Many states have passed laws allowing them to operate, and they also can be found on American Indian reservations. The largest casinos in the United States are in Nevada, New Jersey, and Atlantic City, as well as on the Caribbean island of Aruba and in several other countries.
Modern casino security is usually divided into a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The physical security force patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance and suspicious or definite criminal activity. The specialized surveillance department monitors the casino’s closed circuit television systems, known as “eye in the sky” systems. It can spot the tiniest of abnormalities in game results or in the behavior of gamblers.