A casino is a place to gamble for money or other goods. It may also be an entertainment venue with live music or other attractions. It can be combined with hotels, resorts or other places of accommodation and is often located in a scenic or historic setting. Casinos are legal in many countries, and some have become major tourist destinations. Some are even landmarks in their own right, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
The casino industry is highly competitive. Large companies spend a lot of money on security and advertising, while smaller casinos try to attract customers with low prices and special offers. Some casinos specialize in a particular game, while others offer a wide range of gambling opportunities. Some casinos are even open to the public all year round.
Gambling probably predates recorded history, but the modern casino as a place where patrons can find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof didn’t develop until the 16th century. This coincided with a gambling craze in Europe that saw Italian aristocrats hold private parties in facilities called ridotti [Source: Schwartz].
Casinos are businesses, and like any business they need to keep their customers happy in order to maximize profits. Free food and drinks are common, as are well-appointed rooms for those who want to stay awhile. In addition, casinos use chips instead of real money to make their customers less aware of the amount they’re losing; this allows them to better track patrons’ winnings and losses.
Because of the large amounts of money involved, casino security is a huge concern. Employees are trained to watch for blatant cheating or theft, and all patrons are tracked by closed circuit television cameras.
Despite the high level of security, something about gambling seems to encourage people to lie or steal, either in collusion with other players or independently. The resulting criminal activity can put casinos out of business. For this reason, casinos typically have a built-in advantage, known as the house edge, that ensures that they will make a profit over time.
Because of the inherent danger, the majority of casinos employ a combination of physical and specialized surveillance to protect their patrons and their assets. The physical security force patrols the premises and responds to calls for assistance or suspicious or definite criminal activity, while the specialized surveillance department operates the CCTV system. In some larger casinos, a separate, armed police force provides security in the casino’s restaurants and other non-gambling areas.