Casinos are places where people play games of chance. They offer a variety of entertainment, including musical shows and shopping centers. But the vast majority of the billions of dollars casinos earn each year is from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, keno and baccarat provide the thrills that attract customers.
The term “casino” has its roots in Italy. Originally, it meant a small clubhouse for Italians to gamble and meet in during social occasions. As more and more large public gambling houses were closed, the popularity of these smaller clubs increased, and the word grew to mean the place where such activities occurred.
Gambling in one form or another has been a part of most cultures throughout history. Somehow, though, it always seems to be tainted by dishonesty and corruption. Casinos invest a great deal of time and money in security measures to ensure that their profits are not skewed by cheaters and crooks.
Modern casinos use advanced technology to monitor their patrons and the games themselves. For example, chips with built-in microcircuitry allow casinos to oversee the amount of money wagered minute by minute and to be warned quickly of any discrepancy; electronic systems monitor the outcomes of roulette wheels to discover statistical deviations as they occur. Security cameras are everywhere, and some casinos even have high-tech eye-in-the-sky systems that give security workers a panoramic view of all tables, windows, and doors at once. They are often able to zoom in on suspicious players and can focus on specific areas at will.
