A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games to its patrons. It may also offer food, drinks, entertainment, and luxury accommodations. It is most often associated with Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City, but more communities are opening their own casinos as gambling becomes legalized in their areas. The casino industry generates substantial tax revenue for its home cities.
Something about casinos and large amounts of money seems to encourage some patrons to cheat or steal, either in collusion with other players or on their own. This is why casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. Security starts on the gaming floor, where casino employees keep their eyes on the patrons and machines to catch any blatant scams like palming or marking cards or dice. Pit bosses and table managers watch the tables with a more broader view, checking for betting patterns that might indicate cheating.
The security measures continue into the casino’s rooms, where casino guests are tracked by room-size cameras and doorways are monitored for suspicious visitors. The high rollers are targeted in particular, as they spend much more than the average player and bring in more profits. For this reason, they are given better treatment than other guests, with luxurious suites and personal attention. High rollers are also offered a chance to win extra prizes in addition to their winnings, such as tickets to concerts or sporting events. These examples are automatically generated from various online sources and should not be considered as representing the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors.