A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are most often associated with large hotels and resorts, though they can also be found on cruise ships, in amusement parks, and on Native American reservations. They are also known for providing food and drink, as well as show entertainment. Many casinos are adorned with elaborate architecture and lighting, and some are famous for their landmark attractions such as the Bellagio dancing fountains.

The majority of casino games are based on chance, but some involve skill as well. Regardless of the game, there is one thing players must always remember: they will lose more than they win. In fact, most people who gamble regularly are in the red, and this is how casinos make their money. Successful casinos bring in billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors, and local governments that own them.

To help protect their profits, casinos employ a variety of security measures. For example, employees keep close watch over the tables and can quickly spot blatant cheating or collusion. More advanced systems allow security workers to observe all casino activity from a central control room. Cameras with a high-tech eye-in-the-sky feature can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons. Computerized systems monitor roulette wheels and dice to discover any deviation from the expected outcomes.

Moreover, to reward their best customers, most casinos run comp programs that give patrons free goods or services. These may include hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows, or even limo service and airline tickets for big spenders.