A Casino is a gambling establishment, in which you can place wagers on games of chance. Modern casinos are like indoor amusement parks for adults, with the vast majority of their entertainment (and profits) coming from games of chance, such as blackjack, roulette, poker, craps and baccarat. Despite the glitz and glamour, casinos are not without their dark side. Compulsive gamblers drain casino profits and can hurt local property values, while the casinos themselves are often accused of a variety of crimes.
The modern casino industry is dominated by the United States. Nevada has the highest concentration of casinos, followed by Atlantic City, New Jersey and various American Indian reservations. In the 1980s, some states legalized casinos, allowing them to operate on riverboats or on land, and these began to proliferate.
In addition to the usual range of tables and slot machines, most casinos also have a poker room or two. In these, patrons play against each other, and the casino makes its money by taking a percentage of the pot or charging an hourly fee.
The security system of a modern casino is usually divided between a physical force and a specialized surveillance department. Both departments work closely together to prevent crime. In addition to the obvious signs of tampering and cheating, such as palming, marking or switching cards, casinos look for betting patterns that suggest an attempted rigging of the game. The specialized surveillance department uses video cameras throughout the casino to monitor its patrons.