Whether you’re ready to drop a few chips at the roulette wheel or strut your stuff at the poker table, there are few places better than a casino to satisfy a gambling craving. And it’s not just a place to gamble: Most casinos have food, drinks and other non-gambling activities to keep guests entertained.

There are three general categories of casino games: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Gaming machines, such as slot machines and pachinko, are played by one player at a time and don’t require the involvement of casino employees. Table games, such as blackjack and craps, involve multiple players who compete against the house rather than each other and are conducted by casino employees called croupiers or dealers. Random number games, such as bingo and the lottery, are based on the selection of random numbers by computerized or mechanical means.

Casinos rely heavily on technology to monitor and supervise their games. In some cases, video cameras and computers are used to record the action at tables and slots; other casinos have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down through one-way glass onto the games. Computer programs are used to track the amount of money wagered minute-by-minute on each game and warn officials if a pattern develops that could indicate tampering or fraud.

In addition to sophisticated surveillance systems, many casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers who are charged with calculating the expected return on each game and developing strategies for reducing the house edge. This work is usually done on a contract basis and is supervised by the casino’s chief of security.