A casino is an establishment that provides gambling. This includes card games such as poker and blackjack, dice games such as craps and roulette, and wheel games like baccarat and roulette. Some casinos also host concerts and other live entertainment events. A casino can be located in a land-based building, on a cruise ship, or in a specialized facility built for the purpose.
In the United States, the largest and best-known casino is in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is considered the “gambling capital of the world.”
Casinos are designed to maximize revenue by drawing in large numbers of visitors and by providing a variety of entertainment options. This strategy was pioneered by the casinos in Las Vegas, which used cheap buffets and free show tickets to entice people to gamble. This practice was later adopted by casinos in other parts of the country, including Atlantic City and New Jersey, and by Native American casinos.
Modern casinos use advanced technology to prevent cheating and other crimes. For example, some betting chips have a built-in microcircuit that allows the casino to monitor them minute by minute and spot any statistical deviation from expected results. The use of video cameras and the “eye in the sky” surveillance system help casino security personnel to keep tabs on the activities of their patrons.
In addition to high-tech security measures, casinos rely on comps — free goods and services — to reward loyal customers. These may include free hotel rooms, meals and show tickets. Some casinos even offer limo service and airline tickets to big spenders.
