A casino (also known as a gambling house or a gaming house) is an establishment that offers various forms of gambling. Most casinos offer a variety of gambling games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. Some also feature sports betting and horse racing. Some casinos are standalone, while others are built as part of resorts, hotels, or even cruise ships. Casinos also often offer a wide range of other entertainment options, such as stage shows and musical performances.

Casinos make billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors, hotel chains, and people who play there. But there’s something about the place that inspires people to cheat, steal and scam their way into a jackpot. And it’s that spirit that keeps security staff at casinos on their toes.

Throughout the 1990s, casinos dramatically increased their use of technology. Video cameras monitor the gambling areas to catch any suspicious activity; electronic systems track the amount of money wagered on each table minute-by-minute, so they’re alerted instantly if the totals deviate from expected patterns; and roulette wheels are monitored electronically to discover any statistical deviations as quickly as possible.

Modern casino design is focused on providing perks that encourage people to gamble and to keep them playing. In Las Vegas, for example, a casino might offer free rooms or discounted travel packages, cheap buffets, and complimentary show tickets. The absence of windows and chiming clocks makes it easy for players to lose track of time and to spend more than they planned.