A casino is a gambling establishment. You’ll find them in cities and towns around the world, from posh Las Vegas strip properties to smaller, less flashy ones. Some are combined with hotels and other tourist attractions, while others are standalone buildings. The most famous casinos are known for their impressive size and decor. Many have mind-blowing game rooms and other amenities that can make you forget that they’re meant to take your money.

Despite their flamboyance and flashiness, most casinos make their money by running games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, poker, baccarat and other table games generate most of the billions in profits casinos rake in every year. Musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers may draw in the crowds, but casinos would not exist without these games of chance. They have built-in advantages, often less than two percent, that ensure that they will win most bets placed.

As a result, casinos are rife with temptations for both patrons and employees to cheat or steal. This isn’t surprising, given the large sums of money that are handled within a casino. These risks are mitigated by rigorous security measures. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech eye in the sky that can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons. These cameras are supplemented by security workers stationed in a room filled with banks of monitors that can be scanned quickly for signs of trouble or criminal activity. If anything looks out of the ordinary, the security team can act immediately to halt the game and investigate.