The word Casino evokes images of glitz, glamour and entertainment. Casinos are well-known for their gambling and are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping centers. A casino may also be a place for live entertainment such as comedy shows and musical performances.
Gambling has been a part of civilization for millennia, with evidence from 2300 BC in China. Dice games became popular around 500 AD, and card games in the early 1400s. Casinos are large facilities with gaming tables and machines, often built on or near water. They are designed with special features such as waterfalls, statues and replicas of landmarks. They also have elaborate architecture and decor with high-tech sound systems and lighting.
A casino earns money from customers by charging a commission on bets or a flat fee per game played. This is known as the house edge. It is small, typically less than two percent of total bets, but enough to earn casinos billions of dollars, which they invest in fountains, giant pyramids and towers, as well as lavish hotels and other attractions.
Casinos use computers for security and to supervise games. For example, chip tracking technology enables them to monitor bets minute by minute and warn about any abnormality. Roulette wheels are electronically monitored to detect any tampering. Computers also analyze video footage of dealers and players to identify suspicious behavior.
Modern casino security is usually divided between a physical force that patrols the building and a specialized surveillance department. The latter operates the building’s closed circuit television system. Surveillance personnel can see everything in the casino from one-way glass, and they can watch games being played, people moving about, and other activities. Security is also informed of definite and possible criminal activity by calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or unexplained behavior.