adminkamuA casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by government agencies. In the United States, casinos are governed by state gaming control boards and must be licensed in order to operate. Some casinos are operated by major hotel and casino companies, while others are owned by private individuals or corporations.
A modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the vast majority of its entertainment (and profits for its owner) coming from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and other table games account for the billions in profit that casinos bring in each year. While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers help draw in the crowds, these amenities would not exist without the millions of bets placed each year by patrons.
While it is possible for casino patrons to cheat or steal, in collusion or alone, most casinos have security measures in place to deter such activities. Casino security is usually divided between a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The latter operates a closed-circuit television system, also known as the eye in the sky, that is able to watch every table and machine at once. These systems can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons by security personnel in a separate room. This “eye in the sky” has proven to be effective at deterring crime in casinos.
