A Casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance and win real money. The exact origin of gambling is unknown, but it has long been part of human culture. In modern times, casinos have become more than just places to gamble; they have expanded to include restaurants, hotels, non-gambling game rooms, bars and other facilities.
Modern casino security is usually divided between a physical force and a specialized surveillance department. The former consists of security personnel who patrol the casino and respond to requests for assistance and reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The latter specializes in operating the casino’s closed circuit television system, often known as the eye in the sky. This is often combined with a sophisticated voice recognition and tracking system that can recognize and respond to certain sounds, voices or movements.
Some casinos have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down on the table and slot machines from a safe distance. The cameras can also be adjusted to focus on specific patrons, making it easier for security to spot cheating or other unusual activities. Casino surveillance systems can also be combined with a computerized database that monitors patterns in the behavior of slot and table players. These patterns can be used to identify suspects. The casino can then take the appropriate measures to address the problem, such as reprogramming the machine or increasing surveillance personnel in that area.