What Is a Casino?

A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. These are most often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. Some casinos also have live entertainment.

In the United States, there are over 1,000 casinos. The largest concentration is in Las Vegas, followed by Atlantic City and then Chicago. Many casinos are owned and operated by Native American tribes. These operate under state gaming laws and are distinct from the more traditional casinos operated by private enterprise.

Most casino games have a significant element of luck, but some have a skill component as well. Players able to use their skills to overcome the house edge or vigorish are known as advantage players. Casinos employ a variety of methods to deter advantage play, including sophisticated mathematical algorithms and specialized training for dealers.

Despite these measures, some casinos have experienced cheating and theft by both patrons and employees. Because large amounts of money are handled within a casino, security is especially important. This is why some casinos have catwalks in the ceiling, which allow surveillance personnel to look directly down on tables and slot machines through one-way glass. In addition to security cameras, most casinos have a statutory prohibition on loitering (being present in or around a casino without playing a game or placing a wager) by anyone under 21. Some states have additional statutory prohibitions on minors in casinos. This is why it is important to check the age restrictions of a particular casino before visiting.