When most people hear the word casino, they picture one of the large Las Vegas megaresorts blazing with neon lights. But Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a casino as a “building or room used for social amusement, especially gambling.” While casinos do offer food and other entertainment, most of their profits derive from the games themselves.

Because so much money changes hands within a casino, it is important that patrons and staff members do not cheat or steal. To prevent such behavior, a casino employs a variety of security measures. For example, in a typical modern casino, patrons bet using chips that contain built-in microcircuitry that allows the casino to monitor the exact amounts wagered minute by minute; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviations from expected results. Security workers can adjust the cameras in a special room filled with banks of monitors to focus on specific patrons.

In addition to security, casino design is carefully crafted to encourage gambling behavior. For example, red is a popular decorating color because it is thought to make gamblers lose track of time. Clocks are not usually displayed in a casino, and the rooms are often windowless to create an intimate atmosphere that makes players feel at home and keep them playing.

Despite their appeal to gamblers, many experts argue that casinos do not provide significant economic benefits to the communities where they are located. Critics point out that the influx of tourists does not necessarily bring jobs, and that gambling addicts divert resources from other activities that could improve the community’s quality of life.