A casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. Some casinos also have hotels, restaurants and non-gambling entertainment like shows. Casinos can vary in size and style, but all have the same general purpose of keeping people happy and entertained.
Many casinos have security measures in place to prevent cheating and stealing by both patrons and staff. These can include a physical security force that patrols the casino, and a specialized surveillance department that monitors the casino’s closed circuit television system (CCTV). The cameras are designed to capture any suspicious activity and can help identify the culprits.
Because of the large amounts of money that are handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat and steal. This is why casinos are often heavily guarded, with both the casino’s physical security force and its specialized surveillance departments working closely together.
Casinos make money by accepting bets from their customers and giving out complimentary items (known as comps) to high rollers. The comps may be anything from free tickets to a show or dinner to airline tickets and hotel rooms. Most casinos use a bright and sometimes gaudy decor to make the patrons feel as though they are in an exciting environment. They also try to minimize the awareness of time passing by not placing clocks on their walls and by using colors such as red, which is thought to make people lose track of the time.