A casino is a place where people can play a variety of games of chance for money. It is a common form of gambling and it has been popular since primitive times, with dice (cut knuckle bones or carved six-sided ones) found in the earliest archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. Casinos can be located in cities, states, countries, and even on cruise ships. They often have table games like blackjack and poker, as well as slot machines and other electronic gaming devices. Some casinos specialize in particular types of games, such as baccarat and craps.

A major component of casino security is the human element: employees constantly monitor patrons and game play to spot cheating, such as palming or marking cards or dice. They also watch for suspicious betting patterns, which could be a sign of collusion between two or more players. Casinos use a variety of high-tech surveillance systems to help with the security and monitoring, including cameras that are programmed to follow a specific patron and can be adjusted remotely by casino security workers.

Many casinos have programs to support responsible gambling, and state laws typically include statutory funding for this purpose. They also display appropriate signage and provide contact information for responsible gambling organizations that can offer specialized support.