What Is a Casino?

A casino is a building where people can gamble on games of chance or skill. Some casinos also have entertainment features, such as theatres or showrooms. In the United States, casinos are licensed and regulated by state governments.

Many people are tempted to cheat or steal within casinos, either in collusion with other patrons or by acting independently; for this reason, most casinos have extensive security measures. The most obvious security measure is cameras that watch every table and slot machine. Some casinos have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look down on activities at the tables through one-way glass.

Casinos make money by offering a variety of gambling options, including roulette, craps, baccarat, blackjack, and video poker. Most of these games have mathematically determined odds that give the house an edge, which can be as low as two percent. This advantage is known as the “house edge” or “vigorish.” Casinos also take a percentage of bets placed on games that involve interaction between players, such as poker. This fee is called the rake.

Some casinos try to lure in customers by providing perks that are not available to everyone, such as free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets, or limo service. These are known as comps. In 2005, Harrah’s Entertainment reported that the typical casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. This demographic makes up the majority of casino patrons, according to a study by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS.