A casino is a facility where people can play games of chance or skill. It also offers dining and entertainment. In the United States, casinos are most famous in Nevada, where many are located on the Las Vegas Strip, but there are a number in other states as well, including New Jersey and Atlantic City.
Most games have a mathematical expectation that guarantees the house a constant profit, or “house edge,” although there is an element of randomness in the outcome. Casinos take a percentage of the money that is wagered on the game as a commission, called the rake. The games may also involve a small amount of skill, such as blackjack, where players are competing against the dealer; and baccarat, where players place bets on a single hand.
Security is a major consideration in casino operation. Besides the obvious surveillance cameras, sophisticated systems such as “chip tracking” allow the casinos to monitor betting patterns minute by minute and quickly discover any deviation from expected results; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to uncover any discrepancy in their statistical expected values.
In addition to security, casinos rely heavily on customer service and marketing. They offer perks to encourage gamblers to spend more, such as free drinks and food while gambling and discounted travel packages and hotel rooms. Many have loyalty programs similar to airline frequent-flyer cards, in which patrons’ card swipes are tracked and tally up points that can be exchanged for prizes such as slot play or free shows.
