A casino is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. It may also offer other types of entertainment, such as stage shows and restaurants. Casinos can be found in many places, from massive resorts to small card rooms. Regardless of size or location, all casinos serve the same purpose: to make money from gambling activities.

The casino industry brings in billions each year for the companies, investors, and Native American tribes that operate them. Local and state governments reap substantial tax revenues from casinos. Despite this enormous revenue, casinos are still risky enterprises. Each game has a specific house edge and variance that determine how much the casino can expect to win or lose on a given day. Casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers to compute these odds.

Most casinos feature table games, such as poker and blackjack, along with wheel games like roulette and craps. Depending on the venue, some have more elaborate offerings, such as keno or bingo. Casinos also provide a number of other games, including slot machines, video games, and electronic versions of classic table games.

In terms of security, casino employees keep an eye on the patrons to spot cheating or other irregularities. They use sophisticated systems to monitor the behavior of players and ensure they follow the rules of the games. This technology is especially helpful at the tables, where casino staff can see what a player is betting and quickly discover any anomalies.