A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance. Casinos are most often built in tourist destinations, with Las Vegas and Atlantic City having the largest concentration. Many casinos also offer shows and other entertainment, as well as fine dining and drinks. Some travelers seek out casinos specifically, while others visit them as part of a larger trip or vacation.
During the mob era, many casinos were owned and run by organized crime figures. However, when legal businessmen with deep pockets realized the potential of casinos they began investing in them as well. These new owners were able to avoid any connections to the mob and were free to operate their casinos without fear of federal prosecution.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or on their own. To combat this, most casinos have security measures in place. These include cameras and other surveillance systems, as well as trained personnel to spot and deter any suspicious behavior.
In addition to these measures, some casinos employ technology that allows them to supervise the actual games themselves. For example, some slot machines have built-in microcircuitry that connects to their electronic systems, allowing them to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and warn them of any statistical deviations from expected results. Other examples of this type of technology are roulette wheels that are electronically monitored to detect any mechanical anomalies.
