A casino is a facility where people can gamble with money. A casino’s gaming offerings can include slot machines and table games like blackjack and roulette. A casino can also host live entertainment like musical performances and stand-up comedy. In some countries, casinos are legal and are operated by a government-licensed entity. In others, they are illegal and are run by organized crime groups.
Modern casinos usually have two departments responsible for security: a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The former patrols the premises and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The latter operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, which is known in the industry as the “eye in the sky.”
There are several different types of casino games, including gaming machines, table games, and random number games. Gaming machines are played by one or more players and are not conducted by croupiers. Table games are games of chance that involve a dealer and are often conducted by croupiers. Random number games are based on the selection of random numbers either by a croupier or by computerized equipment.
The glitz and glamour of a casino has made it an iconic symbol in popular culture. It is depicted in many movies and books, including Ben Mezrich’s Busting Vegas, which tells the true story of how a team of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students beat the casinos of Las Vegas.