A Casino is a place where a variety of games of chance can be played. Though casinos offer many luxurious amenities to attract customers like restaurants, free drinks, stage shows and elaborate scenery, they would not exist without the games of chance that generate the billions of dollars in profits raked in by them each year. Games of chance include slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and keno.

The precise origin of gambling is not known, but it is believed to have existed in some form for as long as human civilization has. The first casinos developed in the 16th century, during a gambling craze that swept Europe. The term “Casino” is derived from Italian for little house, reflecting the original purpose of these venues as private clubs for wealthy patrons.

A casino’s security begins on the floor, where employees keep a close eye on game play and patrons. Dealers are trained to detect blatant cheating and can spot dice-rolling or palming. Table managers and pit bosses have a broader perspective, watching for patterns in betting that could indicate a collusion among players or an attempt to manipulate the game. Video cameras are also common in casinos, both for general surveillance and to monitor the results of specific games. Casinos also use advanced technology to monitor the actual games, such as chips with built-in microcircuitry and systems that track how much money is wagered minute-by-minute on each machine. This allows for instant detection of any statistical deviations from expected results.