A casino is a place where people gamble by playing games of chance. The simplest games include roulette, craps, baccarat and blackjack. More elaborate games may involve some skill, such as poker and keno. The gambling industry rakes in billions of dollars each year. Many casinos add luxuries to draw in patrons, such as free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery. But the lion’s share of a casino’s profits comes from games of chance.
Gambling was illegal in America for most of its history, and even after it became legal, most states limited the number of casino establishments. Today, though, there are many more casinos than ever before. Some are enormous, such as the Monte-Carlo Casino in Monaco, which has over 4,000 slot machines and table games. Others are smaller, such as the Golden Gate in San Francisco, which has just over 700 slots and tables.
Security is a major concern in any casino, with staff constantly watching for cheating or suspicious behavior. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye in the sky,” with cameras that can watch every table, window and doorway at once. Dealers keep close eyes on their own game, noticing any signs of palming or marking cards or dice. Pit bosses and table managers have a broader view of the patrons, watching for betting patterns that could signal fraud.
Casinos also encourage patrons to play by offering comps. These are free goods or services that the casino gives to its best customers, such as hotel rooms, meals and tickets to shows. The casinos determine which players deserve these incentives, based on how much they spend and their level of play.