A casino is an establishment where gambling is allowed. Its etymology stems from the Italian word casa, which means “house”. Casinos are also known as gaming establishments, gambling houses, and juegos de azar. In modern times, they are usually large, luxurious buildings that feature various games of chance and other entertainment. The games offered are regulated by the laws of each jurisdiction. Casinos are also popular destinations for tourists and locals alike. Many people take weekend bus trips to visit their nearest casino.
The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the vast majority of the entertainment (and profits for the owners) coming from gambling. Musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers, lavish hotels and elaborate themes help draw in the crowds. But casinos would not exist without games of chance: Slot machines, black jack, roulette, craps and keno provide the billions in profits raked in each year.
With so much money passing through casinos, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal. These temptations are why casinos employ a variety of security measures. For example, some casinos use a high-tech eye-in-the-sky system of cameras that monitor every table, window and doorway in the building. The cameras can even be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons. Other security measures include closed circuit television systems, security guards, and armed security personnel.