A casino is a gambling establishment where people can gamble on games of chance. The games may have an element of skill, as in blackjack or poker, but the house always has a mathematical advantage over the players. This advantage, known as the house edge, is the source of the large profits casinos make from their customers.
In addition to games of chance, modern casinos often feature musical shows and other forms of entertainment. They also offer dining, shopping, and hotel rooms. Casinos can be found around the world. They are most common in cities with large numbers of tourists.
Many casinos have security measures to deter cheating or stealing by patrons and employees. The presence of large amounts of money in a casino can make people tempted to try to steal or cheat, and casinos spend a lot of time and effort on security. Many casinos have cameras throughout the building, and some have security guards on duty at all times.
Casinos also focus on customer service. They reward frequent customers with free perks such as food, drinks, hotel rooms, and show tickets. They also give special perks to high rollers who gamble large amounts of money. Some casinos use technology to track player play and comp them accordingly. For example, chip tracking enables casino managers to monitor game play minute by minute and to detect any anomalies. Other examples of casino technology include electronic roulette wheels and keno machines.
