A casino is a gambling establishment offering table games like poker and blackjack, as well as slot machines. Typically, casinos require patrons to be of legal age and to follow the rules of the establishment. They also have security measures in place to prevent cheating and stealing. In some cases, the security measures may include catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look down through one-way glass at the activities on the casino floor.
In the United States, casinos are often combined with hotels and/or restaurants. Many of these establishments are located in cities known for their tourism and entertainment industries. Las Vegas is the most famous city in this regard, but other areas such as Atlantic City and Chicago have grown to rival it in terms of casino revenue.
Casinos are primarily operated by private companies, although some are owned and operated by the government. They are usually staffed by trained casino employees called croupiers or dealers. They are required to wear uniforms that are identifiable as casino staff. Casino patrons can choose from a variety of table games, slot machines, and video poker, all of which have mathematically determined odds that favor the house over the players.
Casinos have increased their use of technology in the 1990s, introducing such innovations as chip tracking and roulette wheels with built-in microcircuitry that enable them to supervise the amount wagered minute by minute and warn if any anomaly occurs. Casinos have also expanded their security systems, with a number of them installing video cameras that are monitored by personnel on the floor.