A casino, or gambling house, is a facility where people can gamble. There are many different types of casino games, including card games like poker and blackjack, dice games such as craps, and wheel games such as roulette. Some casinos also offer video games. Casinos are found around the world and operate in a variety of settings, from large Las Vegas resorts to small corner card rooms. In the United States, casinos are operated by state-licensed companies, local governments, Native American tribes, and private individuals. Many states have passed laws regulating the operation of casinos.
In addition to the games themselves, casino gamblers are often entertained with special events and shows. Many casinos feature lavish restaurants and shops. Some even have swimming pools and fitness centers. Casinos are sometimes decorated with bright, gaudy colors that stimulate and cheer players. They may have loud music and flashing lights. In order to maximize gambling revenue, casinos try to fill their facilities with as many patrons as possible. This is accomplished by offering a variety of perks, known as comps, to loyal customers. These include free hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows, and reduced-fare transportation.
Because large amounts of money are handled within a casino, there is always the potential for cheating and stealing by both patrons and employees. To counter this, most casinos have security measures in place. Cameras, both visible and hidden, are used to monitor patrons. Additionally, casinos employ people to patrol the casino and its surroundings.
