A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is an establishment for various forms of gambling. Guests gamble by playing games of chance, in some cases with an element of skill. Popular casino games include craps, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and video poker. Casinos are sometimes combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other entertainment venues. Some casinos offer a variety of live entertainment, including stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events.
While glitzy showrooms, lighted fountains, and lavish hotel rooms help draw in the crowds, casinos make their money from the billions of dollars gamblers place bets every year. Most of this revenue comes from table games like blackjack and poker, but other games, such as slot machines and roulette, also contribute. Some casinos specialize in high-stakes gambling. These “high roller” casinos are geared toward wealthy patrons and often feature private rooms for the highest stakes games. Casinos may also offer free luxury suites and other amenities to attract big bettors.
Regardless of the type of casino, most have strict security measures. In addition to cameras and other technological measures, casinos employ teams of employees who watch for signs that players are cheating or trying to steal. These personnel frequently walk the floor, looking at everything from how a dealer shuffles cards to how a player reacts to winning or losing. The security staff also keeps close tabs on how many chips are left in a game and whether any have been stolen from the tables. Casinos also maintain tight control over their chips by purchasing them from reputable suppliers who are required to maintain records and provide shipping documents. Once the chips are received at a casino, they are inspected for any signs of theft and are stored in a secure area.