A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos usually offer a combination of games such as card games, dice games, dominoes, roulette, and slot machines. Some casinos also include other entertainment options such as live music and theater shows.
Casinos can be found in many countries around the world. They are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. Some casinos are owned by gambling companies, while others are operated by government-owned enterprises.
While the majority of casino games are based on chance, there is some skill involved in some games such as poker. The house has a built-in advantage in most casino games, which can be mathematically determined and is called the house edge. Casinos make money by charging fees for some activities, such as a rake in poker, or by taking a percentage of the total amount wagered. They may also give out complimentary items to players, known as comps.
Something about gambling seems to encourage people to cheat or steal their way into a jackpot, rather than try winning by random chance. This is why casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye in the sky” that can be manipulated to focus on suspicious patrons. Casinos also enforce a strict code of conduct and behavioral norms, such as keeping players’ cards visible at all times. Mob involvement in casino businesses faded as real estate investors and hotel chains realized how lucrative they could be, and federal crackdowns on even the faintest hint of mob involvement made it more difficult for organized crime figures to control casino operations.