A casino is an establishment for gambling. It can also refer to an establishment where certain types of live entertainment are performed. Some casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and/or retail shops. In the United States, the term Casino often refers to a specific gaming establishment or to any of the facilities that host them. The word is also used as a general synonym for any type of gambling facility.
While musical shows, lighted fountains and extravagant hotel rooms may draw in the crowds, casinos would not exist without games of chance that offer them billions in profits each year. Slot machines, roulette, baccarat, blackjack and craps are the main games that provide the thrills and excitement that attract millions of gamblers each year.
Because of the large amounts of money handled by casino employees and patrons, security is a major concern. Many casinos have elaborate surveillance systems that monitor all activity on the floor from an eye-in-the-sky control room filled with banks of monitors. Chip tracking systems use microcircuitry to monitor bets minute-by-minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly for statistical deviations from the expected results. The best way to play in a casino is to decide before you go how much you can afford to lose and only bet that amount. That will ensure you will leave feeling like you had a good time rather than regretting spending too much. The other secret to playing in a casino is knowing when to quit. If you are losing too much, it is usually a sign to take a break or even leave the building for a while.