What Is a Casino?

A casino is a gambling establishment that features a wide variety of games. Some casinos specialize in certain games, such as craps or poker. They may also feature other games, such as baccarat or roulette. Some casinos even offer non-gambling attractions like restaurants and hotels. Regardless of what game you choose to play, there is one thing all casinos have in common: They’re designed around noise, light and excitement.

Casinos are businesses, and they must be profitable to continue operating. As such, they have a number of built-in advantages that ensure that the house will win in the long run. These advantages, known as the “house edge,” are what give casinos their competitive edge over players.

To counteract these built-in advantages, casinos employ a number of security measures. This begins on the floor, where employees keep a close eye on games and patrons to catch any signs of cheating or collusion. Dealers are trained to spot blatant tricks, such as palming or marking cards, and table managers and pit bosses watch over the games with a more expansive view.

Casinos are also known for offering free goods and services to their best customers, referred to as comps. These rewards can include anything from free hotel rooms to dinners and tickets to shows. Many casino websites display lists of the most popular comps. In addition, some casinos offer limo service and airline tickets to their biggest spenders. This is a way for casinos to reward their most loyal patrons and encourage them to continue spending money.