A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance and the opportunity to win money. Some casinos also offer stage shows, restaurants and shops. In the US, casinos are mostly located in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, but they are now spreading to other states as well. The term casino is also used to describe establishments that allow gambling in other countries, such as in Europe.
Casinos may offer a variety of different gambling experiences, from traditional table games to electronic variations such as video poker and roulette. The most common games are blackjack and poker, both of which require a certain amount of skill on the part of the player. A large part of casino profits comes from high rollers, people who gamble a lot more than the average person. They are given special rooms, reduced-fare transportation and other extravagant inducements.
Due to the large amounts of money handled in a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal. To prevent this, modern casinos usually have security cameras that monitor the entire facility. In addition, many casinos have a physical security force that patrols the premises and a specialized surveillance department that operates closed-circuit television. In some cases, the two departments work closely together.
