A casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. Modern casinos are very elaborate entertainment complexes with many attractions such as musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and even hotels. But the vast majority of the revenue (and profits for the owners) is generated by gambling machines and other games of chance. Slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps are just some of the many games that provide the billions of dollars in profits that casinos generate each year.

Although there is some element of skill involved in casino games such as blackjack, baccarat and trente et quarante, most are purely chance-based. The house always has a built-in advantage over players, which is known as the “house edge.” In some games such as poker where patrons compete against each other, the casino earns its profit by taking a percentage of the pot, or a commission, called the rake.

Casino security starts on the floor, where dealers keep their eyes on their own game and can easily spot blatant cheating (palming, marking or switching cards, for example). Pit bosses and table managers watch over the tables with a broader view, checking for betting patterns that might indicate a player is trying to steal chips. Then there are the catwalks above the casino floor, where surveillance personnel can look directly down through one-way glass on the activities at the tables and machines.

Casinos are the economic mainstay of Nevada, which draws millions of tourists each year to its dozens of gaming rooms. Other states are catching on, and 40 now have legalized casino gambling. But the industry faces problems such as addiction and social distancing.