A casino is an entertainment establishment where people can play a variety of games. These can include slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and baccarat.
Casinos provide billions of dollars in profits each year for casinos, companies and Native American tribes. They also offer a wide variety of entertainment options, including musical shows, shopping centers and lighted fountains.
Modern casinos have physical security forces and specialized surveillance departments that work closely with each other to ensure the safety of both guests and casino assets. They also employ a closed circuit television system known as an “eye in the sky” to monitor all activities inside the casino.
A casino’s security staff is trained to watch out for blatant cheats, and they have a broader view of the table games than dealers do. They also keep an eye out for betting patterns that could indicate someone is trying to steal from the other players at a table.
Casinos often have multiple levels of security, including a floor security team, pit bosses and table managers who are all watching the same game from a vantage point above the tables. This allows them to spot any blatant cheats or suspicious behavior, such as palming, marking cards or switching dice.
Casinos have a reputation for being dangerous places, especially when the mob is involved. However, thanks to federal crackdowns and the possibility of losing a casino license at the slightest hint of Mafia involvement, legitimate casinos are keeping the mob out.