A casino is a gambling establishment that offers various games of chance, usually for money. These include card games such as blackjack and poker, dice games such as craps, and wheel games such as roulette and baccarat. In addition to these, many casinos also offer stage shows and other forms of entertainment. Casinos also have elaborate security systems to prevent cheating and stealing. These can range from a simple “eye in the sky” system that monitors every window and doorway to specialized surveillance cameras that can be aimed at particular tables or suspicious patrons.
A casino’s security begins with employees on the floor. They are trained to spot blatant cheating such as palming, marking cards or switching dice. They also look for betting patterns that might signal attempts to steal money from other players. They are frequently aided by pit bosses and table managers who have a more sweeping view of the gaming area and can quickly note large wins or losses on each table.
A casino’s security extends beyond its human staff to include sophisticated technology. For example, slot machines are often monitored electronically to discover any statistical deviation from their expected payback percentages; chip tracking allows casinos to know exactly how much is being wagered minute by minute; and roulette wheels are regularly inspected to detect any mechanical anomalies that could influence the outcome of a spin. Casinos also employ a variety of other technology to enhance gameplay and increase revenue, such as high-definition televisions that display the results of each spin in spectacular detail.