A casino is a place where a variety of gambling games are played. While a casino’s elaborate hotels, stage shows and themed restaurants help attract guests, it’s the games of chance that bring in the billions in profits every year. Slot machines, poker, blackjack, craps and roulette are just a few of the many popular casino games that offer gamblers the opportunity to try their luck.
A modern casino typically features multiple tables for each game, with one or more dealers running the games. In addition, a number of high-tech devices are often used to control the games. These include specialized chips that are tracked by computers to ensure that the game is played as it is supposed to, and wheel and table sensors that monitor the results of each spin to quickly discover any statistical deviations.
Something about the nature of casinos encourages cheating, stealing and other illegal activities by patrons. To combat these problems, casinos spend a large amount of time and money on security measures. In addition to cameras, casinos employ pit bosses and table managers who oversee the games and make sure the rules are followed. Moreover, card and dice players must keep their hands visible to the dealer at all times to prevent palming or marking.
The word “casino” is derived from the Latin tabula, which refers to an unrelated class of board games (the Greek versions of which are tafl and sahkku). The first documented use of the word casino occurred in English in the 16th century, in connection with the Monte Carlo gambling establishment.