A casino is a facility where people can gamble and play games of chance. It can have a variety of entertainment options, but gambling is the primary focus. The games are played with chips that have built-in microcircuitry, and the results are monitored and recorded by computers. Casinos use these systems to track and oversee the wagering and to detect statistical deviations that indicate cheating. In the twentieth century, casinos began to open in American cities and on Indian reservations, and their presence has been a catalyst for change in state laws.
The most popular games are slots, poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. Most of these games have some element of skill, but the house always has a mathematical advantage over the players. This advantage is called the house edge. The casino makes money by assessing a fee, either a percentage of the player’s winnings or a flat rate per hour of play, on each game. Casinos also make a profit by offering comps to high rollers, which can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Besides the games of chance, casinos offer other forms of entertainment, such as musical shows and shopping centers. They also have food services, such as restaurants and buffets. In addition, many casinos feature large displays of valuable art, such as paintings and sculptures. Because of the large sums of money that are handled within a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently.