A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance for money. Casinos provide musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers to attract customers, but the vast majority of their profits come from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps are among the most popular games of chance. Casinos may also offer poker, baccarat and other card games. They often have restaurants and bars where patrons can order alcoholic drinks.
There are many ways to cheat at a casino, including marking cards, switching dice or skipping cards. Security personnel monitor players and their activities closely, detecting any suspicious behavior. Many casinos have special technology that assists with game supervision. Chips with built-in microcircuitry enable casinos to keep track of the exact amounts wagered minute-by-minute and warn staff quickly of any anomaly. Electronic monitoring of roulette wheels allows staff to detect any deviation from expected results.
A casino’s employees watch the game from a variety of angles, from their positions at each table to the movement of customers in the rooms. They are also trained to spot any improbable reactions or motions, as well as betting patterns that could indicate cheating. Because of the large amount of cash handled within a casino, security is especially important for its employees and patrons. In addition to cameras and other technological equipment, some casinos have rules that require players to keep their faces visible while they are playing card games and to make sure the face of a chip or coin is facing up when it is dropped on a table.