A casino, or gambling house, is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. Modern casinos often add many luxury amenities to lure gamblers, such as restaurants, free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery. They may also offer sports betting. In addition, some casinos have high-tech surveillance systems, known as “eyes in the sky,” that allow security personnel to monitor all activities.
A person who plays in a casino is called a “player.” Players bet against the house, not each other. Despite appearances, casino gambling is not pure luck; the odds of losing are much greater than the chances of winning. This is because a casino has built-in advantages that ensure the house will make a profit, regardless of how many games are played. The size of these advantages, which is mathematically calculated, is called the “house edge.”
Gambling houses are regulated in most countries. In the United States, there are a number of state-run and private entities that operate casinos. Several American Indian reservations have their own casinos, which are exempt from state antigambling laws. In the 1980s, a number of states changed their laws to permit new casinos.
Most casinos are heavily guarded to protect patrons and property. The security force is usually divided into a physical security department and a specialized surveillance department. The surveillance staff is able to observe all activity within the casino’s confines using cameras that can be adjusted to focus on specific patrons or areas of concern.