A casino is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. Casinos also offer other attractions such as restaurants, bars and live entertainment shows. They may be located in cities, vacation resorts, cruise ships or even on military bases. Casinos are usually owned and operated by private companies. They can be a great attraction for tourists. The best known casinos are in Las Vegas, Nevada and Monte Carlo, Monaco. The movie Ocean’s 11 brought attention to the glamorous gambling scene in Las Vegas.

Modern casinos are heavily reliant on technology. They feature sophisticated electronic systems for monitoring and recording player activity, as well as computerized roulette wheels and dice. These systems help keep track of the amount of money wagered on each spin or roll and alert the pit boss to any suspicious activity. They can also control slot machine payouts.

The advent of video poker in the 1980s greatly increased the popularity of casino gaming. Previously, the only way to play such games was at a live table. Casinos now offer a wide variety of electronic games, including video poker and blackjack. Some of these machines are linked to networks that allow players from different locations to compete against one another for prizes and jackpots.

In the 1990s, casinos stepped up efforts to prevent cheating and theft by patrons and employees. Elaborate security systems include cameras that monitor every corner of the casino floor and can be aimed to focus on specific suspicious individuals. These cameras are usually housed in a separate room that is filled with bank-like rows of monitors. Casinos also monitor game outcomes and player-to-player interactions through video recordings that are reviewed after each session.

Because of the large amounts of money involved, casinos are attractive targets for criminals and terrorists. To protect their assets, casinos invest in high-tech surveillance systems that use multiple cameras with built-in microcircuitry to track betting chips minute by minute and warn pit bosses of any anomaly; they also employ a staff of analysts who review video footage to spot trends and patterns.

Casinos make most of their profits from the “high rollers,” who gamble for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. These high-stakes gamblers are often invited to gamble in special rooms away from the main casino floor, where the stakes are much higher and the pressure is greater to win. In return, these high rollers receive lavish comps, including free luxurious suites, meals and other entertainment.

In the 1950s, as organized crime groups began to run gambling operations in Reno and Las Vegas, legitimate businessmen were reluctant to get involved in casinos because of their seamy image. However, mobsters had plenty of cash from drug dealing and extortion rackets to fund their casino operations. They became owners and took sole or partial control of some casinos, influencing the outcome of some games by intimidating or coercing casino personnel. The Mob eventually lost its hold on casinos after federal crackdowns and the threat of losing a license to operate.