A casino is a gambling establishment where people can wager money on games of chance or skill. While some casinos use lavish amenities and themes to draw in customers, the vast majority of the billions in profits raked in by casinos each year come from betting on games like poker, blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. Whether located in enormous resorts on the Las Vegas Strip or in small card rooms in towns and cities across the country, successful casinos generate revenue for local, state, and federal governments as well as businesses, investors, and Native American tribes.

In addition to the usual selection of tables and slot machines, many modern casinos offer high-end restaurants and other non-gambling activities. Many have hotels, swimming pools, spas, and other luxury facilities. Others feature a unique architectural style or themed attraction, such as the Bellagio’s dancing fountains or the Hotel Lisboa in Macau, designed to look like a birdcage.

Casinos employ a wide range of security measures to prevent cheating and stealing, both from patrons and employees. Most casinos have a combination of physical security forces and a specialized surveillance department, often called the “eye in the sky.” The staff members that deal with customers are generally highly trained to spot suspicious behavior and alert other personnel when necessary. Some casinos have even used body cameras to record their interactions with patrons. This type of footage is often reviewed by security teams after a patron has left the premises.