A casino (also known as a gambling house) is an establishment where people can play various games of chance for money. These games may include slot machines, keno, and various table games. Some casinos also offer live entertainment. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state law. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Casinos are sometimes operated by religious organizations, tribal governments, or charitable groups. They are most commonly located in cities with legalized gambling.
A modern casino typically employs a combination of physical and specialized surveillance departments. The former patrols the facility and responds to calls for assistance and reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity, while the latter operates the casino’s closed circuit television system. In addition, many modern casinos use specialized computer software that enables them to monitor game play and patron activities in real time.
While most casino games have a significant element of luck, some possess a skill element and can be played for a small profit. Casinos rely on these skills to provide them with a consistent long-term advantage over the players, called a house edge or vigorish. Those who possess the knowledge and skills to eliminate this house edge are called advantage players.
To attract gamblers, casinos use a variety of tricks to stimulate the senses. For example, the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip is renowned for its poker room and has the usual range of game tables but what really keeps its regulars returning is its sports betting facilities featuring 60 large plasma TV’s where punters can flick a few coins on American football, boxing and martial arts while chowing down on snacks and drinks from the bar.