A casino is a gambling establishment that allows patrons to place wagers on games of chance. The casino industry generates billions in profits each year and attracts tourists from all over the world. Musical shows, lighted fountains and themed hotels help casinos lure customers, but the majority of a casino’s revenue is generated by gambling. Games such as blackjack, roulette and craps provide the thrill of risk and excitement that drives casino business.
In the United States, there are more than 300 casinos, with the largest concentration in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Many American Indian reservations have casinos and some states have passed laws to allow them on tribal lands. In the latter half of the 20th century, a number of European countries changed their gambling laws to permit casinos.
The modern casino is a high-tech environment with surveillance systems that monitor every aspect of game play. Some casinos use microcircuitry in betting chips that communicate with electronic systems, allowing the casino to track precisely how much money is being wagered minute by minute and to quickly detect any statistical deviation from expected results. In addition to monitoring all gaming activity, casinos also keep an eye out for suspicious behavior on the part of players and staff members. The routines of casino game playing create certain predictable reactions and motions, making it easier for security personnel to spot when someone is acting suspiciously.