A casino is a public room or building in which gambling games (such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker, and slot machines) are played. A casino may also be an establishment that offers other forms of entertainment, such as live music or sports events. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. They may also be located in areas that are not licensed to conduct gambling, such as on Indian reservations.

A large part of the income that casinos generate is from the money patrons lose at their tables. For this reason, casinos are very careful to monitor their patrons’ activities and to protect their assets. Modern casinos are usually equipped with video cameras and computer systems that allow them to supervise their games remotely. In addition, many have catwalks in the ceiling that enable surveillance personnel to look down through one-way glass directly at table and slot machines.

Casino security is typically divided into a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The former patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance and reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The latter operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, which is commonly referred to as the “eye in the sky.” Several other technological innovations have been developed to enhance casino security: chips with built-in microcircuitry allow casinos to track exactly what bets are placed, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviation from their expected results.