A casino is a place where people can play games of chance for money. Some casinos add luxuries like restaurants, shops and stage shows to appeal to non-gambling patrons. But whatever they add, casinos would not exist without games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other casino games provide the billions in profits that make them one of the most lucrative businesses in the world.

Although casinos try to lure people in with fancy buildings, stage shows and free drinks, the vast majority of their profits come from gambling. Most people who go to casinos gamble to have fun and win cash, but some do not understand the risks involved.

Most casinos have two different security departments: a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The physical security force patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The specialized surveillance department operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, often called the eye in the sky, which allows security workers to watch every table, window and doorway of the entire facility from a control room.

In modern times, a casino’s surveillance system is almost always computerized and linked to a central server. The data can be analyzed to identify patterns in the game playing and pick up on a player’s behavior that is out of character. It is also possible to track what players have won or lost over time and compare their performance to the average. This type of data can also help a casino determine whether or not a player is a “good” one and deserves comps such as free hotel rooms, dinners, show tickets and limo service.