A casino is a gambling establishment where customers gamble by playing games of chance, in some cases with an element of skill. Some casinos specialize in particular games, such as craps and poker. Others offer a wide variety of games, including slots and video poker. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, Monaco’s Casino de Monte Carlo, and the Casino Lisboa in Lisbon are some of the world’s best-known casinos.
Casinos have a variety of security measures in place to protect their patrons and property. Many use cameras to monitor the activities of guests and employees. Some casinos also employ “chip tracking” systems, where betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that allow them to interact with electronic systems at the tables to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute, and to discover any statistical deviation from expected results. Casinos also use electronic monitoring to ensure that dice, roulette wheels, and other games are being rolled or spun properly.
The casino industry has a strong focus on customer service and promotion. To maximize revenue, most casinos promote their gaming options through advertising and offer perks to encourage gamblers. These perks are called comps. For example, in the 1970s Las Vegas casinos gave away free shows and transportation to attract people to their casinos.
Despite their emphasis on customer service, casinos are also known for being a haven for thieves and scam artists. Something about the atmosphere and excitement of a casino encourages people to cheat, steal, or lie to win money. For this reason, casinos spend a large amount of money and effort on security.