What Is a Casino?

A casino is a building or room in which gambling is conducted. The term may also refer to the equipment and personnel involved in such gaming. Casinos have a number of purposes, but are most commonly used to generate income from the sale of gambling tickets, or as an entertainment destination with shows, restaurants and other amenities.

Modern casinos use technology to monitor and supervise the games. This includes the use of computer systems that track the amount of money wagered minute-by-minute, and can detect any statistical deviations from expected results; chip tracking systems that enable casinos to oversee the exact amounts placed at each game station; and roulette wheels that are electronically monitored for any sign of anomalies. This monitoring is often performed by specialist mathematicians and computer programmers, known as gaming mathematicians or gaming analysts.

The large amounts of currency handled in a casino can tempt both patrons and staff to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. In addition to the usual physical security force, most casinos have a specialized surveillance department that operates closed circuit television systems.

Casinos make their money by offering games of chance that have built in advantages for the house, ranging from less than two percent to more than five percent. These advantages are known as vigorish or the rake, and are calculated from the millions of bets made by customers. The most popular casino game is the slot machine, in which a player inserts money, pulls a lever or pushes a button, and watches as varying bands of colored shapes roll on reels (either actual mechanical reels or video representations). Other popular games include blackjack, baccarat, and craps.