A casino is an establishment for gambling. Most casinos offer a variety of table games, with some offering electronic gaming as well. Some are integrated with hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions. Others are stand-alone. The precise origin of gambling is unknown, but it has been a feature of many societies throughout history. Modern casinos often have a luxurious environment and are known for their high-end dining, entertainment and art displays. The casino has become a major source of revenue for some cities, such as Las Vegas, which is also renowned for its fountains and the movie Ocean’s 11.
In most casinos, the house has a mathematical advantage over patrons at all times, despite variations in skill level among players. This is known as the house edge or expected value. Some games, such as blackjack and roulette, have an element of skill, and the house edge can be reduced through card counting and other techniques. In games where the house is not competing against the players, such as poker, it earns money through a commission called the rake.
Because of the large amount of money handled within a casino, it is sometimes possible for patrons and employees to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. For this reason, most casinos have extensive security measures. These can include cameras, electronic monitoring of game play, and rules requiring patrons to keep their hands visible at all times. In addition, some casinos employ specially trained staff to detect suspicious activity, such as a disproportionate amount of betting on one side of the table or the occurrence of multiple consecutive wins in a row.