A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships and may also host live entertainment events. In the United States, a casino is legally required to have a game commission to oversee all gaming activities. The commission regulates the casino’s operations, including its employees.
A modern casino usually has a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The physical security team patrols the facility and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity, while the surveillance department operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, known as the “eye in the sky”.
In addition, casinos hire mathematicians who specialize in gambling analysis. This allows them to calculate the house edge and variance for each machine and game, enabling them to discover quickly any statistical anomalies. These are then used to adjust the games’ payouts in order to meet the desired profit margin.
The word casino is derived from the Italian cazino, which refers to a public hall for music and dancing. In the second half of the 19th century, the term came to be applied to a collection of gaming or gambling rooms. The classic example is the Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco, which opened in 1863. Other well-known casinos include the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which became internationally famous after being featured in several Hollywood films, most notably Ocean’s 11. The casino at Winstar World Casino in Oklahoma features horse racing and off-track betting.