The word casino most often brings to mind images of Las Vegas and other glamorous casinos, but there are plenty of more modest places that house games of chance and accept gambling bets. A casino is basically an indoor amusement park for adults, with the bulk of the profits (and the fun) coming from the gambling activities that take place there.
While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers help attract customers, casinos would be nothing without the games that bring in billions of dollars each year. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps are the most popular casino games, but there are also keno, bingo and baccarat.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal. Consequently, many casinos have strict security measures. Cameras located throughout the casino and the use of video technology are commonplace. In addition, certain betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that allow them to be monitored minute-by-minute and warn of any statistical deviation from the expected result; and a number of casinos have computerized roulette wheels that are electronically monitored to detect any statistical abnormality.
Some casinos provide special perks for frequent gamblers, known as comps, such as free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets and even airline or limo service. The perks are designed to encourage gamblers to spend more money, and they are usually based on the amount of time a player is at a table or slot machine and the level of play.