A casino (or gambling hall) is a place where people gamble on games of chance or skill. It can be as small as a single card room or as large as a sprawling resort. Some casinos specialize in specific types of games, while others offer a wide variety of both table and machine games. In the United States, casinos are most prevalent in Nevada and Atlantic City. But they can also be found on cruise ships, in Native American gaming areas and in other countries.
The casino industry has grown enormously over the last several decades. It is a multibillion-dollar business that attracts millions of visitors each year. Many of the larger casinos have become tourist attractions in their own right, with hotels, restaurants and non-gambling entertainment.
Casinos rely on a combination of human and electronic security measures to keep patrons safe. They have employees who watch over the games, observing for blatant cheating, like palming and marking cards, or unusual betting patterns that may signal attempted collusion. They have cameras mounted in the ceiling that provide an eye-in-the-sky view of every table, window and doorway. They have sophisticated systems that enable them to monitor and control the outcome of roulette wheels and other games in real time.
Something about the presence of large amounts of money encourages both patrons and staff members to attempt to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. Casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security measures to deter both of these activities.