A casino is a gambling establishment that provides gaming facilities to its customers. The casino usually also offers dining and entertainment options to attract more clients. The types of games in a casino are based on chance or, in some cases, on skill. Some of the most popular games include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and video poker.
In addition to the traditional casino floor, many casinos feature restaurants and performance venues where pop, rock, jazz and other artists perform for guests. Casinos are mostly open to the public, and patrons can gamble at any time of day or night.
The casino industry is a big business and, in some countries, casinos are the only place where it is legal to do gambling. As such, they spend a lot of money on security. Security starts on the casino floor, where employees watch over the game tables and players to make sure everything is running as it should. Dealers can easily spot blatant cheating, such as palming cards or marking dice. Table managers and pit bosses keep track of the betting patterns at each table, making it easy to see if a player is trying to rig the game.
Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye in the sky” that lets security workers in a separate room monitor every table, window and doorway at once. The cameras can even be adjusted to focus on specific suspicious patrons. Many casinos now use technology to monitor chip movements and wagers, minute by minute. This prevents cheating and other improprieties, and ensures that the house always has an edge over the players.