A casino is an establishment for gambling. The games available at casinos include roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and video poker. Many casinos also have restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Some are located in areas where tourists visit, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
In addition to the obvious financial benefits, casinos can help boost local employment and business opportunities. They also generate tax revenue for their home cities. Local governments study the pros and cons of having a casino in their communities, as well as any potential negative impact on property values in surrounding neighborhoods.
Gambling in its various forms has been a part of human culture for millennia. The earliest evidence dates from 2300 BC China, with dice showing up around 500 AD and card games becoming popular in the 1400s. The modern casino has many different types of gambling games and is regulated by law.
Casino security is often divided into a physical security force and a specialized department that oversees the casino’s closed circuit television system (CCTV), which is known as “the eye in the sky”. The casino’s head of security usually patrols the floor and can respond to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity.
Some casinos use specialized catwalks that allow security personnel to look down, through one-way glass, on the activities at the tables and slot machines. These surveillance systems are known as the “eye in the sky”. They are a significant investment, but have been very successful at deterring crime.