A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance and often also provides food and drink. Casinos are most commonly located in or near cities with large populations, such as Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City, but they may also be found in many other places throughout the world. Some casinos are open to the general public, while others cater to specific clientele, such as high-rollers or business executives.
A variety of games are played in a casino, with the most popular being poker, blackjack, and craps. Most of these games have a certain degree of skill involved, but the house always has an advantage over the players, due to mathematically determined odds. The amount of money that a player wins or loses at a given game is called the payout. Casinos may also offer complementary items (known as comps) or special events and entertainment to attract customers.
Because large amounts of currency are handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. As such, most casinos have security measures in place to prevent this. These include physical security forces and specialized surveillance departments that monitor the casino’s closed circuit television system, known as the “eye in the sky.” Modern casinos also employ a variety of electronic security measures, including infrared scanning and the use of specially trained dogs. Many casinos also have catwalks in the ceiling that allow security personnel to look directly down on the tables and slot machines from above.