What Is a Casino?

A casino is a public place where gambling games are played. Typically, casinos have many luxury amenities such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to attract patrons. Historically, casinos have been a popular source of entertainment for both the rich and the poor in many societies. Various states have legalized casinos, especially Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Casinos make money by charging a percentage of each bet to the player. This is called the house edge and it varies from game to game. Casino mathematicians and computer programmers, sometimes called gaming analysts, have the job of analyzing the math behind each game and coming up with strategies to minimize the house edge.

Because large amounts of money are handled within casinos, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal. Most casinos have security measures to deter this. These range from simple security cameras to highly elaborate systems. For example, chip tracking allows the casino to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover statistical deviations quickly.

Most casinos also reward players who spend a lot of time and money playing their games. These “comps” (complimentary goods and services) include hotel rooms, meals, show tickets and limo service. In 2005, Harrah’s Entertainment found that the average casino gambler is a forty-six year old female from a household with above-average income. These gamblers are known as high rollers and their spending drives a significant portion of the casino’s profits.