A casino is a building or room where gambling activities take place. The term casino may also refer to an establishment for certain types of gambling, such as a land-based casino, or to a virtual casino. Casinos are commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by government authorities.
Casinos rely on their employees to keep patrons happy and safe. Security starts on the floor, where pit bosses and table managers monitor game play. They can quickly spot blatant cheating like palming cards or marking dice. In more sophisticated casinos, overhead cameras provide a high-tech “eye in the sky” that can be adjusted to focus on specific suspicious patrons. Other security measures include requiring players to keep their cards visible at all times and not wearing hats or sunglasses in the gaming areas.
Besides monitoring patrons, casino staff spend a lot of time and money creating an atmosphere that makes gamblers feel they are in an exclusive club. The bright and sometimes gaudy interior design is intended to distract gamblers from their surroundings, and the lighting is designed to create a sense of excitement and mystery. Gamblers are often encouraged to interact with other players, and alcoholic drinks are easily available.
Casinos try to encourage gamblers to spend more by providing perks that reward them for their loyalty. These are called comps and can include free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets, or even limo service. Casinos have a variety of other methods to increase gambling revenue, including attracting tourists by advertising their perks.