A casino is a place that offers various games of chance and where gambling is the primary activity. While casinos provide a variety of amenities to attract patrons, including restaurants, free drinks and stage shows, they would not exist without the gambling activities themselves. Some of the most popular casino games are blackjack, roulette, craps and keno. Some casino games are run by croupiers, while others are automated. A casino may also offer other types of gaming, such as poker.
Casinos use security measures to deter cheating and stealing by their patrons, either in collusion or on their own. Considering the large amounts of money involved, these casinos spend a great deal on their security systems.
The most obvious form of security is on the casino floor itself, where people watch over the games. Dealers have a keen eye for blatant cheating, such as palming or marking cards or dice. They also keep an eye out for betting patterns that might indicate cheating at other tables.
Elaborate surveillance systems give the casino a high-tech “eye in the sky.” Cameras monitor every table, window and doorway from a central control room. Security personnel can adjust the cameras to focus on suspicious patrons, and the footage is recorded for later review.
Casinos are an enormous business, bringing in billions of dollars each year. However, economic studies indicate that most of that revenue is shifted from other forms of entertainment, and the costs of treating compulsive gamblers negate any economic benefits they might bring to a community.