A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. In modern usage, the term is almost always associated with a specific building or complex of buildings that includes a variety of gambling games. Casinos are often located in or near hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and tourist attractions. In some cases, they may be standalone facilities.
The word casino is derived from the Italian word for “gambling house”. The first modern casinos grew out of taverns and brothels where people would meet to drink, gamble and socialize. These venues became more refined and were known as a place for elegant entertainment, often attracting celebrities and high society.
There are three general categories of casino games: gaming machines, table games, and random number games. Gaming machines are operated by computers and do not require the involvement of casino employees. Table games, such as blackjack and craps, involve one or more players competing against the house (the casino), which is run by croupiers. Random number games, such as roulette and slot machines, are based on the selection of random numbers by a computer or other mechanical devices.
Casinos employ a large staff of security professionals to deter cheating and theft by both patrons and employees. Besides traditional physical security personnel, modern casinos employ a variety of electronic surveillance and monitoring techniques. For example, in a technique called chip tracking, betting chips with built-in microcircuitry are used to monitor the exact amounts of money wagered minute by minute, and electronic systems continuously monitor roulette wheels for statistical deviations from expected results.