What Is a Casino?

A casino (or casin) is a place where people can play gambling games and win real money. Some casinos also offer other entertainment such as theatre shows, restaurants, and bars. Many states have legalized casinos, and there are now more than 1,000 worldwide. Some cities are known for their casinos, such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Chicago.

A large part of a casino’s profits comes from the house edge, or vigorish, that is built into the rules of each game. This advantage is designed to ensure that the casino does not lose money over the long term, but it also allows players to make a short-term gain. Players who possess enough skill to eliminate the house edge are called advantage players.

A casino’s staff and patrons may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently, given the large amounts of money handled within. For this reason, casinos have various security measures in place. Video cameras are common, and table games are usually supervised by electronic systems that allow casinos to oversee the exact amount wagered minute-by-minute, and quickly discover any anomaly.