A casino is a gambling establishment where people can wager money on various games of chance. Its precise origin is unknown, but it is known that gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of casino-like games existed in China as early as 2300 BC, while dice appeared in Rome around 500 AD and the game of poker was first recorded in the 1400s.
Modern casinos are regulated by law and operate a variety of security measures to deter crime. These include a physical security force and specialized surveillance departments. In addition, many casinos use closed circuit television systems (CCTV) to monitor the casino’s premises.
In addition to slot machines and table games, many casinos offer Far Eastern-style games such as sic bo (which became popular in European and American casinos in the 1990s) and fan-tan. Some also feature baccarat, which is a favorite among high rollers. The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, for example, has 60 large plasma TVs where players can place bets on a wide range of sporting events.
Because of the large amount of money that is handled within casinos, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal. To prevent this, the vast majority of casinos employ a combination of technological and rules-based methods of security. Depending on the jurisdiction, these can include cameras and other surveillance equipment, a full-time security force, and rules that prohibit collusion between players or between patrons and staff.