A casino is a gambling establishment that houses a variety of games of chance. These include roulette, blackjack, craps, poker and various slot machines. Some casinos also have restaurants and bars, and stage shows that draw in customers. Some casinos are owned by organized crime figures, but the mob’s decreasing power and federal crackdowns on casinos have forced them to rely more on free drinks, elaborate decor and other luxuries to attract customers.
Gambling is legal in most countries, but some have laws against it or limit the amount of money that can be won at each game. The modern casino is usually divided into a physical security force that patrols the floor and a specialized surveillance department that operates closed circuit television, often referred to as an “eye in the sky.”
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or on their own. In addition to security cameras, casinos use other tools to deter these actions. For example, patrons place bets with chips that look like money, but are actually microcircuitry that allows the casino to track how much money is being wagered minute by minute. Roulette wheels are monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviations from their expected results.
The most popular casino games are poker, roulette, blackjack and craps. Many casinos also offer sports betting, and some even have a nightclub or theatre. A casino’s comp system rewards high-volume players with free hotel rooms, food, drinks and show tickets. The system is sometimes automated, with a computer program keeping track of player activities and awarding points based on their performance.