A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a wide range of games for players to choose from. The games are mostly chance based but some have elements of skill, especially in card games like poker and blackjack. Casinos make money by charging a fee to each player that places a bet, or by taking a percentage of the total bets made by players at video poker and slot machines. This is known as the house edge and it varies from game to game. Casinos also give out free goods and services to attract large gamblers, known as comps. These can include meals, rooms and show tickets. Some casinos even offer limo service and airline tickets to their biggest players.

Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and other entertainment attractions. They have a reputation for being glamorous and exciting and for offering high-paying games. In some countries, casino gambling is legalized and regulated.

Due to the large amount of currency handled within a casino, security is very important. A good casino has both a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that monitors the action. Both departments work very closely to ensure that the assets of the casino are protected. Despite these efforts, some people still try to cheat and steal in casinos. Some of these crimes are committed by employees, while others are committed by patrons. Because of these dangers, casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security.