A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Modern casinos often combine gambling with hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourist attractions. They may also be referred to as gambling houses, gaming rooms or simply as casinos.

Casinos have long fascinated people, both those who enjoy gambling and those who do not. They have been romanticized in film and literature with images of high stakes gambling tables surrounded by elegantly dressed guests in tuxedos and evening gowns. But for all their glamorous appeal, there is one fact that casino owners must face: they cannot make a profit unless gamblers are there to spend money.

That is why so much time, effort and money goes into casino security. As well as the usual physical security force, most casinos have a special specialized department for surveillance and other forms of electronic monitoring.

Due to the large amounts of currency handled within a casino, both patrons and staff can be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. Fortunately, this type of behavior is very rare, and most casinos use a variety of methods to prevent it.

In addition to the usual casino security force, many casinos have a specialized surveillance department that monitors the activity of all their employees as well as patrons. This includes a special computerized system that can record the number of cards dealt, the total amount won or lost by each player and even the time spent at the tables.