Casino: The History and the Games
A casino is a gambling establishment where people gamble by playing games of chance—or sometimes skill, as in poker. The most common games include slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and video poker. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state and local laws. Most casinos are operated by private businesses, while a few are owned by government agencies or charitable organizations.
Most casinos have security measures to prevent cheating, stealing and other crimes. These measures usually involve cameras and the use of trained personnel to watch over patrons. A casino’s security staff also keeps an eye on regular patterns in gambling behavior, such as the speed with which a dealer shuffles cards or the locations of betting spots on a table. This information is used to spot unusual behavior and alert other security personnel.
In addition to the physical security force, most modern casinos have a specialized surveillance department that monitors the casino’s closed circuit television system. This technology allows security officials to look directly down, through one-way glass, on the activities of patrons at table games and slot machines.
Gambling probably predates recorded history, but the idea of a casino as a place where people could find a variety of different gambling games under one roof did not develop until the 16th century. Before that, European aristocrats would hold private parties in places called ridotti that were basically private clubs for their members where gambling was the primary activity.