A Casino is a gambling establishment offering various games of chance, the majority of which involve a fair amount of skill. Slot machines, black jack, roulette, craps and keno are examples of casino games. Most casinos add a variety of other features to appeal to gamblers, such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. Some modern casinos are very elaborate, reminiscent of Las Vegas strip hotels, while others have more of a low-key, local neighborhood feel.
Due to the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently; for this reason, most casinos have extensive security measures. Cameras, positioned throughout the casino, are the most obvious of these measures. More sophisticated technology has also become increasingly common; for example, chips with built-in microcircuitry allow casinos to monitor wagers minute by minute and detect any deviation from expected results. Roulette wheels and dice are often electronically monitored as well, to discover any irregularities that might signal cheating.
In addition to these technological tools, casinos employ a number of other strategies to keep their patrons safe. For instance, pit bosses and table managers are constantly observing the action to ensure that all players are adhering to rules of play, and they watch for suspicious betting patterns that could indicate cheating or collusion. Other measures include the use of shufflemasters to ensure that cards are dealt fairly, and the monitoring of baccarat tables to prevent crooked dealers from giving away winning bets to their friends.