A casino (also known as a gaming house or gambling hall) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are sometimes combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops or other tourist attractions. In some countries, the term is used to refer to a government-licensed or regulated gambling facility.
Generally, casinos offer games of chance with an element of skill and are heavily regulated. The casino industry is a major source of employment in many economies. Casinos provide jobs for approximately 2.3 million people worldwide. The average wage earned by a casino employee is $27 per hour.
In the United States, state and local laws regulate casino operations. Most states have legalized casino gambling and set the minimum age at 21. Some casinos are operated by private companies, while others are owned and operated by local governments or Native American tribes.
Casinos are highly regulated and use security measures such as closed circuit television to monitor patrons. Most have a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The surveillance departments usually work together to respond quickly to calls for assistance and reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity.
Some casinos have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down on tables and slot machines through one-way glass. The advantage of this type of casino security is that the casino can immediately see any cheating and can act to prevent it. Casinos can also enforce rules of conduct and behavior by imposing rules on players such as keeping their cards visible at all times.