A casino is a place where people can gamble. Casinos often offer other amenities such as restaurants, hotels, spas and other entertainment. Some of the world’s most famous casinos are in Las Vegas, Monte Carlo and elsewhere. These casinos attract tourists and can bring in revenue for the local economies.

The casino industry uses a variety of technologies to ensure the integrity of games. Some casinos use computerized systems that oversee the games and warn dealers of any suspicious betting patterns. Similarly, roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviations from expected results. Some casinos are completely automated, with players betting by pushing buttons on machines rather than using actual chips.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal. For this reason, most casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security measures. Security personnel are stationed throughout the casino and use surveillance cameras to monitor patrons and employee activity.

Gambling has long had a seamy reputation, and casinos are no exception. Before they became legalized in Nevada in the 1950s, many casinos were owned by organized crime figures who financed them with extortion, drug dealing and other illegal rackets. These mobsters took sole or partial ownership of some casinos, and used their influence to manipulate games and the outcomes of bets. In addition to general security, most casinos employ special methods to prevent mob influence on games and their outcomes.