A casino is a place where people can play various games of chance for money or prizes. Traditionally, casinos focus on gambling but many modern ones have a lot more to offer. They have restaurants, bars, shops, spas, and even museums.
The word casino has its origins in Italy, where it meant a small clubhouse for Italians to meet socially and gamble. Over time, the word came to be associated with all sorts of pleasurable activities and not just gambling. The first casinos grew up in Europe as people started to shut down the larger public gambling houses and make it harder to play games of chance in public places.
Modern casinos often have a very high level of security that is divided into two departments. One is the physical security force that patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance or to reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The other is the specialized surveillance department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, known as the eye in the sky. This specialized department watches everything that happens on the casino floor, and it has been very effective in preventing crime.
In addition to all the gambling, some casinos have restaurants and bars that are renowned for their food and service. Others have entertainment venues that feature rock, jazz and other music. Still others are glass-and-steel temples of overindulgence. Whatever their style, these establishments are a blast to visit.