A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. The word is a portmanteau of the Spanish word cazino (gambling house). Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are regulated by law. In others, they are privately owned and operated. Some casinos are operated by government agencies.
A modern casino is a complex business that involves many different departments. The security department, for example, has a physical force that patrols the floor and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The specialized surveillance department monitors the entire operation using closed circuit television. Casinos have also dramatically increased their use of technology to supervise games themselves. For example, in “chip tracking,” betting chips are electronically linked to the gaming tables so that casino personnel can watch the amount wagered minute by minute and quickly discover any abnormalities; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to detect any statistical deviation from their expected values.
While many casino gamblers are interested in the number of available slot machines and table games, others seek to enjoy other attractions that the venue offers. For example, some people like to eat at the casino, where they can munch on desserts and sip coffee to ease their gambling nerves. Others may prefer to sit in a bar or other entertainment space, where they can celebrate a win or commiserate over a loss.