A casino is a place where people go to gamble for money and win. Casinos are popular all around the world, and in many countries, gambling is considered legal. These places are licensed, and they require a club membership to enter. Many casinos also serve intoxicants, such as alcohol. Casinos have strict dress codes, and they must serve alcohol, since clients make fewer mistakes when intoxicated.

Casinos concentrate their investment on high rollers, people who spend much more money than average and play in special rooms away from the main casino floor. These gamblers usually have stakes in the tens of thousands of dollars. Because of this, casinos earn a lot of profit from them. These gamblers also receive lavish personal attention.

Casinos also maintain high levels of security, and they have elaborate surveillance systems in place to monitor the entire place. There are cameras positioned throughout the casino, watching every table, window, and doorway. They can even be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons. Video feeds are recorded, so that security personnel can review them later. Some casino games, such as slots, use computer chips to determine the payouts.

Modern casino security includes a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The physical security force patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance, while the specialized surveillance department runs the closed-circuit television system, or the “eye in the sky.” These two departments work together to ensure the safety of all guests and assets in the casino. This approach has helped prevent many crimes in casinos.