There are over one thousand casinos in the United States, and this number continues to rise as more states legalize casino gambling. The growth in the number of casinos has been attributed to Interstate competition, but the sheer number of them isn’t the only factor. The Las Vegas Valley has the most casinos, while Atlantic City and the Chicago region rank second and third, respectively, in terms of revenue generated from casino gambling. Despite the large number of casinos, the cities in between are not defined by casino gambling.

When most people think of a casino, they probably picture the megaresorts that line the Las Vegas strip. Typically, these are huge entertainment complexes with neon lights, games, and fun. In reality, casinos come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from tiny businesses to massive hotels. Some casinos have multiple levels of gambling, and others are just smaller, more intimate, or specialized. Aside from the size and location of a casino, there are many other characteristics that distinguish different casinos.

Security measures in a casino start on the floor. Employees keep a close eye on the games and the casino patrons. Dealers are trained to detect cheating while concentrating on their own game. Table managers and pit bosses supervise the table games, and monitor betting patterns. Moreover, each employee in the casino is tracked by someone higher up. In other words, casino employees are monitored at all times, and there is no way for someone to get away with cheating.