A casino, or gaming house, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It may also refer to an establishment combined with a hotel, resort, or restaurant. Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia, with evidence of dice from 2300 BC and playing cards by 1000 AD. Modern casinos, as we know them, began to develop in the 20th century and have become major tourist attractions worldwide.
In addition to offering the standard range of table games and slot machines, some casinos also offer off-track horse betting, and other sports such as soccer and American football. Some are famous for their ambiance and entertainment offerings, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Others have been featured in movies and television, such as the Monte Carlo Casino in Ben Mezrich’s “Busting Vegas,” where MIT students beat the oddsmakers.
Many modern casinos use technology to control and supervise gambling activities. For example, some casinos have chips with built-in microcircuitry that allow the casino to oversee exact amounts wagered minute by minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviation from their expected averages. Other systems, such as video cameras and closed circuit television, are used to monitor general activity within the casino. Some have catwalks built into the ceiling above the gambling floor, which allow surveillance personnel to look down on patrons through one-way glass. For added security, some casinos have a physical security force in addition to the specialized surveillance department.
