Casino is a term that refers to a gambling establishment, where players place bets on various games. They can play table games, such as roulette and poker, or slot machines.
Historically, casinos were run by mobsters, but this has changed in recent years as real estate investors and hotel chains have taken advantage of the massive profits they can make from these gambling establishments. These companies buy out mobsters and run their casinos without their interference.
Security
Casinos are heavily guarded by elaborate surveillance systems that monitor every player in the casino at once. Video cameras are positioned to watch tables, doors and windows, and can be adjusted by security personnel to focus on suspicious patrons.
Gaming Machines
The economic mainstay of American casinos is slot machines (also known as video poker), which pay out based on a random number, determined by computer chips. The machines also have microcircuitry that interacts with each other, so the casino can track the exact amount of money wagered minute-by-minute and warn players if an anomaly occurs.
Tables
A wide variety of table games are played in casinos, with the best-known being blackjack and poker. Some casino employees, called dealers, conduct the game. They are well-versed in card counting and other strategies, and have the skills to read a player’s body language, which is a key strategy in poker.
Besides the traditional European and American games, some Asian casinos also offer sic bo, fan-tan, and pai-gow. These games are played in a separate area from the main gaming areas, and require special training to play.