A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. In modern times these facilities have become a major tourist attraction and can be found in almost every country that legalizes gambling. In addition to providing a variety of gaming opportunities the typical casino adds luxuries such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to attract and retain customers. However, the underlying principle is the same: casinos must make money from their products (the games) in order to stay in business.

Casinos make their money by taking a small percentage of the bets placed by patrons. In games that involve skill, such as blackjack and poker, this advantage is known as the house edge. In other games, such as craps and roulette, the casino earns money by charging a commission, or rake, to each player.

Something about the nature of gambling encourages people to cheat, steal and lie in order to improve their chances of winning. This is why casinos devote considerable time and effort to security.

Employees are trained to spot a variety of suspicious activities. The high-tech surveillance systems also allow casino employees to monitor each table, window and doorway at once. This “eye-in-the-sky” allows security personnel to quickly discover any unusual activity. In addition, the machines are monitored electronically to ensure that they pay out at a consistent rate. The casino may also give away free goods and services to its most loyal patrons, known as comps. This can include hotel rooms, meals, show tickets and even limo service and airline tickets.