A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is a place where people can gamble. In addition to traditional table games like blackjack and roulette, some casinos offer skill-based games such as poker or baccarat. In the United States, casinos are typically located on Indian reservations, where they are exempt from state anti-gambling laws. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, which is famous for its dancing fountains and was featured in the film Ocean’s 11, is one of the most well-known casinos in the world.
Most casino games have a mathematically determined advantage for the house, which is usually expressed as the expected value of a bet or as a percentage. In games with a skill element, players can sometimes eliminate this advantage by using techniques such as card counting. In these cases, the house edge is often referred to as the “vigorish”.
Some casinos make their money by charging an admission fee for patrons, while others earn revenue through a commission on bets (known as a rake). In games where players are not competing against each other, such as poker, the house may also award complimentary items or comps to high rollers.
Most modern casinos have a dedicated security department with specialized personnel. This team patrols the facility and responds to reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. They also use closed circuit television systems to monitor activity throughout the casino. In addition, most casinos have a centralized computer system that records all transactions and player activity.