A casino, also known as a gambling house or gaming establishment, is a building or large room equipped with gambling devices, such as blackjack tables and slot machines. Some casinos also contain a restaurant and one or more bars. The term casino may also refer to an establishment that offers certain types of live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy, concerts or sports events.
Casinos are widespread throughout the world and, since the late 1980s, have become a significant source of income for many countries, especially in Europe. In the United States, casinos are mostly owned by local governments or Indian tribes and operated by private companies. Some are licensed and regulated by the state; others have a national or international license.
Many casinos use advanced technology to monitor and supervise their games. For example, in some casinos, betting chips with built-in microcircuitry allow surveillance personnel to see the exact amount wagered on a table minute by minute, and electronic systems in roulette wheels detect any statistical deviation from expected results. Other casinos use catwalks in the ceiling to enable surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one-way glass, on game play.
Despite the high-tech equipment, casino employees are still susceptible to cheating and theft, either in collusion with patrons or on their own. As a result, some casinos have strict anti-cheating and anti-theft rules, and employ security measures such as security cameras and watchdogs. Some casinos have even used their surveillance technologies to prosecute some of their most notorious criminals.