A casino is a gambling establishment that allows patrons to place bets on games of chance. Some casinos are standalone while others are located within or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. In addition to gambling, many casinos offer live entertainment and sports betting.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. For this reason, most casinos have security measures in place to prevent such behavior. These measures usually include cameras and a specialized security department.

During the 1990s, casinos dramatically increased their use of technology. For example, in the game of blackjack, the cards are monitored by computers to ensure that players do not remove them from the table or change their order; and roulette wheels are electronically inspected to detect any statistical deviations that would indicate cheating. Other examples include chips with built-in microcircuitry that allow casinos to track the amount of money wagered minute by minute and warn players when their bets are too large; and wholly automated versions of traditional games such as roulette that allow patrons to push buttons instead of dealing with a dealer.

Casinos have also used music to influence gamblers’ behavior. One study found that when people listened to a slow-tempo soundtrack, they gambled longer than those who heard a faster-tempo musical background. In addition, a variety of other sensory elements can be used to manipulate gamblers’ behavior, including the use of scents and lighting.