Security Measures at a Casino

A casino is a facility where people can gamble on games of chance or skill, and in some cases both. Casinos have a variety of security measures in place to ensure that patrons and staff are safe from cheating and theft. Many casinos also have resources for problem gambling, including hotlines and support services.

The most basic security measure is a system of cameras, which monitor the casino floor and the gambling areas. These cameras are linked to a network that enables surveillance personnel to look down on the players at any time. Casinos use a number of other technology to increase their security, including “chip tracking,” which allows casinos to oversee betting chips minute-by-minute and warn them quickly if any chip is placed in an anomalous area; and roulette wheels that are electronically monitored for statistical deviations from their expected results.

The casino industry has shaped American entertainment culture and is a major source of income for many state governments. In the United States, state-licensed casinos are regulated by each state’s gaming control board. Casinos are also legal in some Native American tribal lands and are owned and operated by individual tribes. The largest casinos are located in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New Jersey, and have greatly boosted the economies of those cities. In addition, a growing number of casinos are being opened in other parts of the country.