A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Some casinos are standalone buildings, while others are combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships. They may also offer live entertainment. The word casino is also used to refer to a particular type of game, such as blackjack or poker.
Modern casino security is usually divided between a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The former patrols the casino floor and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The latter operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, often known as the eye in the sky. In addition, casino employees frequently undergo a background check before being hired. This is because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino and the potential for both patrons and staff to commit crimes in collusion or independently.
Table games in a casino generally involve board games like poker and blackjack, dice games such as craps and roulette, and wheel games such as horse racing. These require strategic thinking and decision-making skills as well as luck. Players place wagers with chips that have built-in microcircuitry or interact directly with electronic systems that monitor the exact amount of money being wagered minute-by-minute and alert the casino to any anomalies.
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is one of the world’s most famous casinos and was designed by architect Jay Samo to evoke images of ancient Roman splendor. The hotel has hosted a long list of celebrity guests, including Frank Sinatra and Liberace.