A Casino is a place where gambling activities take place. Typically they include a variety of games, free drinks, restaurants and stage shows. A Casino may be a standalone building, an entire resort, or a portion of a larger hotel or tourist attraction. In the United States, casinos are usually located near or combined with hotels and/or resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and sometimes even cruise ships.
With so much money being handled, casinos employ a large amount of security. Some of this consists of a physical security force that patrols the floor, responding to calls for help or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. Other security measures include elaborate closed circuit television systems that offer a high-tech “eye in the sky” view of every table, window and doorway. These can be adjusted to focus on specific patrons by security personnel in a separate room.
Despite the many benefits that casinos can bring to their communities, they have also come under fire for causing social problems such as addiction and gambling disorders. In addition, studies show that compulsive gamblers generate a disproportionately large share of casino profits. This can lead to a negative impact on the economy of the community due to decreased spending on other forms of entertainment and higher taxes to pay for the cost of treating problem gambling.
There are over 1,000 casinos in the world today, ranging from the massive mega-casinos of Las Vegas to small neighborhood establishments. They can be found in cities and towns around the globe, and they often feature lavish amenities such as top-rated hotels and spas, restaurants, theaters, and other entertainment venues.