A casino (also known as a gambling house or a gaming room) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It is located in areas that have legalized gambling, or on Indian reservations where gaming is permitted by law. Casinos are owned and operated by private companies or people, and they usually include restaurants, hotel rooms, retail shops, and other entertainment facilities.
The games played in a casino involve elements of chance and skill. Most have mathematically determined odds that ensure the house has an advantage over the players, a phenomenon referred to as the house edge. The edge varies by game and is not consistent over time. The casino also takes a percentage of each winning bet, which is known as the rake.
During the 1990s, casinos greatly increased their use of technology to monitor and supervise games. For example, casino chips have built-in microcircuitry that allows them to be tracked minute by minute so the casino can spot any statistical deviations; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any anomalies.
Modern casinos often have a department responsible for security and another dedicated to the monitoring of gambling activity. The security department typically patrols the floor and responds to requests for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The surveillance department operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, which is a key component of casino security. It is a powerful tool that is effective in deterring crime and helping to prevent gamblers from becoming compulsive.