A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and skill, as well as entertainment. Some casinos focus on a particular type of game; others specialize in drawing in visitors with a combination of factors including design, novelty and the presence of high rollers. Some casinos offer games that are conducted by croupiers, like roulette and baccarat; others, such as slots, let patrons compete against each other with machines.

Casinos spend a great deal of time, effort and money on security because they are susceptible to crime. Something about gambling seems to encourage cheating, stealing and scamming, at least among some players. That’s why most casinos have a large staff of trained security personnel.

Modern casino security is usually divided into a physical force and a specialized surveillance department. The physical security force patrols the casino and responds to calls for help or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity, while the surveillance department operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, known in the industry as the eye in the sky.

In addition to cameras, casinos employ a number of other security measures. Dealers at table games are heavily scrutinized to make sure they are not palming or marking cards, and their betting patterns may also be monitored for suspicious activity. Each person at a table game has a “higher-up” who watches them, making note of the amount of money they are winning or losing.