A casino is a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. The casino industry is a major source of revenue for some countries. It is also a popular tourist attraction. The most common casino games are poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat and slot machines. These games are played by both amateur and professional gamblers. In addition to these games, casinos may also offer sports betting and horse racing.
Most modern casinos have extensive security measures. Most of these measures are aimed at keeping patrons and staff safe from theft and cheating. Casinos often employ security cameras to monitor all activity within the building and its grounds. They may also have special areas that are off limits to the general public. These areas may include private gaming rooms, vaults, and maintenance areas.
Many casinos use perks to encourage gamblers to spend more money. These perks, called comps, are usually free items such as food and drinks. During the 1970s Las Vegas casinos gave out a lot of comps to people who gambled a lot, including free hotel rooms and show tickets. Today, casinos are choosier about who gets these perks and focus on high-spending gamblers. They may give them free luxury suites, limo service, and airline tickets.
Many casinos also feature a variety of gambling games that are popular in different parts of the world. For example, Asian casinos commonly offer traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan, and pai gow. These games are popular in Europe as well, particularly in France and Portugal where they were first introduced.