A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Most casinos offer a variety of gaming options, such as slot machines and table games like blackjack and roulette. Many casinos also have a full service restaurant and other entertainment options such as live performances or sporting events. Some casinos are stand alone facilities while others are part of larger resorts or hotels.

The primary way a casino makes money is through the house edge, which is built into each game. This advantage is typically lower than two percent, but over millions of bets it adds up. The casino also makes money from the vig, or rake, which is a percentage of all bets placed. Casinos are heavily regulated and must adhere to strict rules to protect patrons from cheating or collusion. In addition, elaborate surveillance systems allow security personnel to watch all areas of the casino at once.

To draw customers in, casinos use a variety of tricks. They often have bright colors and gaudy decorations that stimulate the senses, and more than 15,000 miles of neon tubing illuminates Las Vegas strip casinos. The brash lights, clang of the coins hitting the tables, and the buzz of the slot machines create an unmistakable aura of excitement.

Casinos are usually located in areas with high populations of people, such as urban centers or tourist attractions. They are staffed with a mixture of full and part-time employees. In the past, mobster control of casinos was common, but as real estate investors and hotel chains began to make a fortune from the casino business, they bought out the mobs and gained complete control over their operations.