While the modern casino may resemble an indoor amusement park with elaborate themes, musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers, the vast majority of the fun (and profits for the owner) comes from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, keno and baccarat are just a few of the games that help casinos rake in billions every year from American gamblers.

While something about the nature of gambling encourages cheating, stealing and scamming to increase your chances of winning big, casinos spend a huge amount of time, money and effort on security. This starts on the casino floor, where security staff keep their eyes peeled for blatant palming and marking of cards and dice. Table managers and pit bosses have a broader view of the tables, watching for betting patterns that may indicate cheating. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye in the sky” that can be adjusted to focus on certain suspicious patrons from an control room filled with banks of security monitors.

Some of the largest casinos are in Las Vegas, where they attract a crowd of tuxedo-clad millionaires looking for five-star service and a chance to rub shoulders with celebrities and other high rollers. However, there are also plenty of posh, non-gambling casinos in other locations across the country and around the world.