A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons can gamble on games of chance and skill. In some casinos, the games are regulated by the state. In others, patrons play against one another and the house makes a profit by taking a percentage of each pot or charging an hourly fee. Casinos range from mega-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip to small card rooms in New York City. Casinos are found in many countries. During the second half of the 20th century, nearly every country changed its laws to permit casinos.
Most casinos offer a variety of slot machines and table games. Larger casinos also have hotels, restaurants, bars, and non-gambling game rooms. Some are themed and may include a museum or other attractions. Some have a high-end reputation for luxury, while others are known for their spectacular decor or mindblowing number of games.
Casinos are staffed with casino employees, who watch over the games and players. Dealers at table games keep their eyes fixed on the cards and the players to make sure there is no cheating going on. Pit bosses and table managers oversee the games with a broader view, watching for betting patterns that indicate cheating or a problem. Elaborate surveillance systems provide an “eye-in-the-sky” capability that allows security workers to monitor every table, window and doorway from a control room.
Casinos are a huge industry that brings in billions of dollars each year for the companies, corporations and investors that run them. They also bring in millions of visitors from around the world and generate a lot of income for local governments.