A casino is a facility where gambling activities are permitted. It is also known as a gaming hall or a kasino. Casinos are a major source of revenue for many governments and are highly regulated. In the United States, casinos are usually located in or close to hotels and feature a wide variety of gambling games, such as blackjack, roulette, poker, and slot machines. In addition, some casinos offer non-gambling entertainment options, such as shows and restaurants. Some even have their own golf courses and spas.
In modern times, casino facilities have become increasingly sophisticated and technologically advanced. For example, chips with built-in microcircuitry interact with electronic systems in tables to enable casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviations from their expected results. Casinos have also increased their use of technology for general security purposes. For instance, some casinos have catwalks above the casino floor where surveillance personnel can look down on gamblers through one-way glass.
Something about the huge amounts of money involved in casinos seems to encourage both patrons and staff to cheat and steal, either in collusion or independently. Because of this, casinos spend a large amount of time and money on security. In addition, some critics contend that a casino decreases the quality of life in a community by diverting spending from other forms of local entertainment and by decreasing property values.