A casino is an establishment offering certain types of gambling. These gambling establishments are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. They may be located on land or in cruise ships. They may also be known as gambling houses or gaming rooms. The precise origin of gambling is not fully understood, but it is believed that people have gambled for thousands of years. Gambling in some form is found in almost all societies.
A number of states have legalized casinos, and more are expected to do so as the demand grows. In the United States, casinos are generally located in cities with large populations, like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Several American Indian reservations have casinos, which are not subject to state anti-gambling laws.
Modern casino security is usually divided between a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The latter is responsible for monitoring the activities of players and customers through cameras, and sometimes utilizing one-way mirrors to see what players are doing at tables and slot machines. Computers are increasingly being used for casino supervision, as well. For example, some casino chips have built-in microcircuitry that enable casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and quickly discover any statistical deviations.
Many casinos offer table games, such as baccarat, blackjack, and trente et quarante. These games are typically supervised by employees called dealers. Many casino table games have a skill element that allows players to reduce the inherent long-term disadvantage of the house edge, and thus increase their chances of a short-term profit.