A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance or skill. In modern times it often has a luxurious atmosphere and serves food and drinks to its patrons. It may also feature stage shows and dramatic scenery. There are a number of different types of casinos, but they all have the same basic features. The United States has the largest number of casinos, with Las Vegas being the most famous. Other places that have casino gambling include Atlantic City, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois. Casinos have a lot of security measures in place to prevent cheating and stealing, both from guests and employees. Elaborate surveillance systems monitor all activity in and out of the casino, including through windows and doors. Some casinos have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down on tables and slot machines through one-way glass. Casinos also use special chips with built-in microcircuitry that communicate with electronic monitoring systems to track all wagering minute by minute, and to alert staff when statistical deviations from expected results are detected.

The house always has a mathematical advantage over the players in most games, regardless of the skill level of the individual players. This advantage is known as the house edge. The casino makes its money by charging a fee or a percentage of each bet placed, or by taking a cut of the pot in games such as poker, where patrons play against each other. In addition, many casinos offer clubs that reward frequent patrons with free meals, rooms and show tickets.