What is a Casino?
A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. Some casinos specialize in certain types of games. Most modern casinos have a wide variety of games.
In the United States, the largest concentration of casinos is in Las Vegas, followed by Atlantic City and then Chicago. Native American casinos are also growing in number.
Because so much money changes hands in casinos, there is always a temptation to cheat or steal. Because of this, casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. Casino security starts on the floor, where employees keep a close eye on patrons and their actions. Dealers are especially trained to spot cheating, such as palming or marking cards. Pit bosses and table managers keep an eye on all the tables, noticing betting patterns that might signal a scam.
Casinos make their money by requiring patrons to pay a small percentage of their bets to the house. This is known as the house edge. Different games have different house edges. For example, roulette attracts smaller bettors and so has a lower advantage than blackjack or craps. Slot machines and video poker have a very low house edge, around 1 percent.
In addition to gambling, many casinos have restaurants, shows and other entertainment. Some even have hotels and spas. In the 21st century, some casinos are focusing their investments on high rollers. These are people who gamble in the tens of thousands of dollars. They often play in special rooms away from the main casino floor. They also receive comps (free rooms, meals, etc.) worth a lot of money.