Casino is a gambling establishment that houses and operates a variety of games of chance for patrons who are legally allowed to gamble. Modern casinos often include a variety of themed decorations and entertainment to draw in customers, including musical shows and elaborate fountains. A casino’s main source of profits, however, is the billions of dollars it rakes in from gambling.
The word “casino” dates to the 16th century, when a gambling craze swept Europe. At that time, wealthy nobles and aristocrats would often hold private parties in gambling halls called ridotti. These events were usually accompanied by music and elaborate food.
Modern casinos are divided into physical security forces and specialized surveillance departments that work together to keep the gambling floor safe from criminal activity. Elaborate surveillance systems include cameras that offer a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” view of every table, change window and doorway. They are usually controlled by security workers in a room filled with banks of monitors, and can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons.
There are three general types of casino games: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Gaming machines, such as slot machines, do not require the involvement of casino employees and are played by one patron at a time. Table games such as blackjack and craps involve a player competing against the house, and are conducted by dealers or croupiers. Random number games use a computer to generate random numbers. The casino makes money from these games by either taking a percentage of each pot or charging players an hourly fee.