A casino is a building or room where people can gamble. It is also a place where people can watch other people gamble. In the United States, a casino is a public establishment where people can play gambling games. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events such as concerts and stand-up comedy shows.
When most Americans think of a casino, they imagine one of the Las Vegas megaresorts that are ablaze with neon lights and excitement. While that description fits some casinos, the majority of casinos are small businesses defined more by the types of gambling they offer than by glitz and glamour.
Casinos are a major source of revenue for companies, investors, Native American tribes, and state and local governments. Successful ones rake in billions of dollars each year. This money provides jobs, economic stimulus for the surrounding community, and tax revenues that allow politicians to avoid spending cuts or raise taxes elsewhere.
A casino’s security begins with its employees, who keep a close eye on patrons to spot cheating, stealing, or other unusual activity. Some casinos use specialized technology to monitor specific activities, such as “chip tracking,” where betting chips have a microcircuit that keeps track of the amounts wagered minute by minute; or electronic monitoring of roulette wheels to discover any statistical deviation from their expected results.