A casino is a gambling establishment where people can play a variety of games using money. The word is a portmanteau of the French words for “house” and “to gamble.” People who visit casinos are called customers or patrons. A casino’s revenue comes from customer bets, winnings, and losses. Casinos can also offer other amenities, such as restaurants and entertainment.

There are many types of games played in a casino, including dice and card games such as poker. Most games have a house edge, which means that the house will make a profit on some bets and lose money on others. The house edge is mathematically determined by the probabilities of different outcomes. Casinos make their profits by taking a small percentage of the bets placed or charging hourly rates for table games.

Some casinos specialize in particular games. For example, the Monte Carlo casino in Monaco is known for its baccarat and trente et quarante. In the United States, some casinos focus on table games such as roulette and blackjack, while others feature a wide range of video poker machines.

A casino can be a glamorous and exciting place, but it is also a dangerous one. Because of the large amount of money handled, casinos are vulnerable to theft and fraud by both customers and employees. To protect themselves, most casinos use various security measures. These include the use of cameras, the separation of players from large sums of money, and the presence of a trained staff.