What is a Casino?

A casino (also known as a gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Some casinos are stand-alone buildings; others are combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships.

Gambling in some form has been practiced throughout history in almost every culture and society. The precise origin of gambling is not known, but it is generally believed to have evolved from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece, with a particular focus in Europe during the second half of the 19th century (see casino).

Something about casinos seems to encourage people to cheat or steal, either in collusion with other patrons or independently. This is why many casinos spend a lot of time and money on security measures. Security cameras located throughout the casino and sophisticated surveillance systems are the main tools that are used to prevent these problems.

In addition to security cameras and other visible measures, casinos also use less-obvious methods to keep their patrons safe. The routines and patterns of games, the way dealers shuffle and deal cards, and the expected reactions of players all follow predictable patterns. As a result, it is much easier for security personnel to spot suspicious activities and take appropriate action. Another security measure is the use of high-tech eye in the sky surveillance systems that allow security personnel to view all tables, windows and doorways at once. These sophisticated systems can even be adjusted to zoom in on specific patrons if necessary.