A casino, or gambling house, is a place where people gamble and watch live entertainment. Modern casinos have elaborate themes and features like lighted fountains, shopping centers and musical shows, but the billions of dollars in profits they rake in every year comes from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and other casino games make up the majority of the revenue that draws visitors to these gambling establishments.
Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice found in the oldest archaeological sites. In modern times, casino gambling is more than just a place to spin the wheel or roll the dice, though; it is also an opportunity for high-stakes play. Many casino patrons are wealthy enough to be able to afford the highest stakes, and casinos cater to them by offering them comps and exclusive VIP rooms.
The high amount of money that moves through a casino may inspire some to cheat and steal, either in collusion with fellow patrons or on their own. To combat this, casinos have a variety of security measures in place. These range from cameras that monitor every table and window to highly specialized eye-in-the-sky security systems with cameras that can be adjusted to focus on suspicious players. Many of these cameras have a high resolution that allows them to zoom in on faces, which makes it easier for security personnel to identify those who are breaking the rules.
