A casino is a gambling establishment offering various types of games of chance and sometimes entertainment shows. Its customers must be of legal age to gamble and must follow the rules and regulations established by the facility. Generally, casinos use security cameras to monitor the premises and prevent cheating or theft.
Aside from slot machines and table games, many casinos also offer a variety of Asian-influenced games such as sic bo (which spread to several European and American casinos in the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow. Some even have an area dedicated to sports betting. While most people don’t think twice about a trip to their local casino, they may not know that every detail of these glitzy casinos is designed to make them lose more money than they should.
As with any sizeable business establishment, a casino brings economic growth to the surrounding community. Studies have shown that communities with a casino see an increase in employment opportunities and average wages. In addition, the presence of a casino stimulates spending at local businesses.
Because of the large amount of cash handled in a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal. Hence, casinos often employ numerous security measures. These range from a physical security force to a specialized surveillance department. Aside from these, a casino may also use other methods to ensure its security, such as the use of cameras and close-circuit television. These measures have been very effective in reducing crime in casinos.