What Is a Casino?

A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is a place where people can gamble. In modern usage, the term has come to include places that offer a wide range of other entertainment and amenities in addition to gambling, such as restaurants, hotels, and retail shops. Casinos can also be associated with sports events and horse racing.

Although some games have a skill element, most have built-in advantages that guarantee the house a certain percentage of all bets placed. This advantage is called the house edge, and it varies by game. The house also takes a commission on some games, called the rake.

Some casinos attract visitors with free food and drink, stage shows, and dramatic scenery. These luxuries help casinos compete with other gambling establishments and draw visitors to Nevada from across the country. However, studies suggest that the net economic impact of a casino is negative, especially for communities that host large numbers of compulsive gamblers. Compulsive gamblers divert spending from other local sources of entertainment and generate a disproportionate share of a casino’s profits. And the social costs of treating problem gamblers and lost productivity from their work often offset any economic gains from gambling.

Security is an important aspect of a casino, and begins on the floor, where employees keep a close eye on patrons to make sure everyone is playing fair. Dealers are trained to spot blatant cheating, such as palming, marking, and switching cards. Table managers and pit bosses have a wider view of the tables and can detect patterns of betting that may indicate collusion or fraud.