A casino is a place where people can gamble. The exact origin of gambling is unknown, but it has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. In modern society, casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Casinos also offer many forms of entertainment, such as live music and shows. Some casinos have video poker machines, while others feature traditional games like blackjack and roulette. Most casino games are based on chance, although some have an element of skill. In most cases, the house has an advantage over the players, and this is known as the house edge.
There are a number of ways that casinos try to prevent cheating and theft. The most obvious is to have security cameras throughout the facility. Some casinos have catwalks above the casino floor that allow surveillance personnel to look down on the players directly. Many casinos also have specialized security departments that investigate reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity.
Because of the large amount of money that is handled within a casino, there are always opportunities for cheating and theft. Both patrons and employees may be tempted to engage in such activities, either in collusion with one another or independently. Because of this, most casinos have stringent security measures in place. These include physical security forces and specialized surveillance departments. Some casinos also have closed-circuit television systems that are monitored by specialized security personnel.