A casino is a gambling establishment that offers various games of chance. Many casinos are operated by a single company, while others are owned and operated by a group of companies or individuals. The games offered by casinos vary depending on local laws and regulations. Some states require that all games be supervised by a licensed regulated gaming authority. Other games, such as poker, are not regulated. While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and hotels help draw customers to casinos, the majority of revenue is generated from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno bring in billions of dollars in profits each year.
While the exact origins of gambling are unclear, most historians believe it has been a part of nearly every culture throughout history. Today, the casinos of the world are decadent temples to temptation, decked out in opulent furnishings and overflowing bars. The best casinos are designed to attract the highest rollers, offering them lavish inducements such as free spectacular entertainment and luxury hotel rooms.
Because large sums of money are handled in casinos, there is always the possibility that players or staff will cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. To counter this, casinos employ numerous security measures. Cameras positioned throughout the facility are the most obvious, but other steps include strict rules of behavior and regular patterns of play (such as how dealers shuffle and deal cards or where the betting spots on table games are located). The familiar routines make it easy for security personnel to spot any deviations from the norm.
