A casino is a gambling establishment offering a variety of gaming options, including slot machines, table games and sports betting. Casinos are usually located in states where gambling is legalized and are regulated by state governments. In the United States, the minimum age to gamble at a casino varies by state and gambling product, but most casinos require players to be 21 or older.

Casinos are often run by gaming control boards or commissions, which are government agencies responsible for regulating and licensing gambling operators. These regulators typically create rules and regulations based on the state’s gambling laws. They also investigate reports of illegal activity and oversee the operations of gambling facilities.

Modern casino security is generally divided into two departments: a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system (CCTV), sometimes known as “the eye in the sky”. The physical security forces patrol the casino floor and respond to calls for assistance and incidents of possible or definite criminal activity, while the CCTV staff monitors player activities through one-way glass from suspended catwalks above the tables and slots.

Casinos are also heavily regulated, and most use advanced technology to prevent cheating by employees or patrons. For example, betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that interacts with electronic systems at tables to allow casinos to oversee the amounts wagered minute by minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviation from expected results.