A casino, also called a gambling house or a gaming house, is an establishment where people can gamble and play games of chance. It is also a major source of revenue for the local, state and provincial governments that allow casinos to operate. The industry is largely regulated by laws governing the types of games offered, minimum wagering amounts, maximum jackpots and other aspects of casino operations. Successful casinos bring in billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors and Native American tribes that own and operate them. In the United States, the term casino generally refers to a commercial establishment offering traditional table games such as blackjack and roulette, along with machine games like video poker, slots, and craps. Some casinos also offer sports betting and other forms of gambling.
Casinos make their money mainly from patrons who bet large sums of cash. Most games have a mathematical expectation of winning, or losing, based on the rules and skill level of the players. Some games are considered “no-lose” games, such as standard poker; others, such as slot machines, have a built-in house edge that cannot be overcome.
Security at casinos starts on the casino floor, where employees watch patrons and games carefully. Pit bosses and table managers have a wide view of the entire game area, and can spot blatant cheating (palming, marking, or switching cards, for example). More sophisticated games are wired to central systems that monitor the actual bets minute by minute; any statistical deviation stands out.