Casino is a gambling establishment where people can gamble money on games of chance or skill. Table games like blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and video poker are the primary sources of the billions of dollars raked in by casinos each year. Entertainment like musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers help bring in the crowds, but it is the games of chance that make the money.

While some states have banned gambling, many have legalized it, opening casinos in areas far from Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Native American gaming has also helped create more casinos throughout the country and around the world. With large amounts of cash handled in a casino, patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat and steal. This is why most casinos have security measures in place.

These include cameras located throughout the casino and a high-tech eye-in-the-sky system that can monitor each table, doorway and window at once. Table managers and pit bosses keep an eye on their tables as well, looking for stealing and other suspicious activities. The routines of various casino games follow certain patterns that are easier for security personnel to spot when a player does something out of the ordinary.

Another way casinos draw in the masses is by rewarding frequent visitors with free goods and services, known as comps. These can range from hotel rooms to meals, tickets to shows and even limo service. Players who spend a lot of time playing slot machines are often given hotel rooms, while those who play the most on tables receive comps for food and beverages.