The casino is a modern facility where games of chance are played for money. Many casinos are famous for their elaborate themes and lavish hotels, but they also make billions of dollars every year by drawing in people to play games like slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and keno. Something about gambling (maybe the presence of large amounts of money) encourages people to try to cheat and steal, both in collusion with others and independently, which is why casinos spend a lot of time, effort and money on security measures.
Modern casinos have a dedicated security force that patrols the building and responds to calls for assistance or reports of definite criminal activity. Casinos also have a specialized surveillance department that operates their closed circuit television system, which is known in the industry as the “eye in the sky.” This system constantly monitors everything that goes on inside and outside the casino.
Casinos have a wide range of entertainment options to attract gamblers, from live shows and dazzling water displays to high-end restaurants and luxurious rooms. Some are even home to iconic landmarks, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which became well-known after the film Ocean’s 11 was set there.
The games of choice in casinos vary by location, with some specializing in particular types of gambling or offering more traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan and pai gow. Almost all casinos have poker tables, where patrons play against each other and the house makes its profit by taking a percentage of each pot or charging players an hourly fee.