What Is a Casino?

A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games for players to gamble. The most popular casino games include slot machines and table games. Most casinos also offer entertainment such as shows and dining to attract more customers. In the past, casinos were run by mob families but federal crackdowns and the ability of large hotel chains and real estate investors to buy out mobsters has prevented mob interference with casino operations.

In addition to the wide range of games offered, casinos strive to create a swanky atmosphere with expensive carpets and chandeliers. The design is meant to distract patrons from the fact that they are losing money and to make them feel as if they are experiencing something unique and luxurious.

While it is possible for patrons to cheat and steal, in collusion or independently, most casinos have security measures designed to deter this. The first line of defense is security cameras. These are placed throughout the casino floor and can be adjusted by security workers to watch particular suspicious patrons. Security also watches the table game dealers to make sure they are not palming cards, marking or switching dice. In the case of slots, each machine is wired to a central computer and statistical deviations are immediately detectable.

In addition to the security measures, casinos also reward their biggest spenders with comps, free goods and services. This can include food, rooms in the hotel, tickets to shows and limo service. Comps are based on the amount of money a person spends in the casino, which is why people who play for long periods of time and bet a lot of money often get the best treatment from the casino.