The casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games and services to its patrons. The term is most often associated with the large public casinos found in Las Vegas, but they can be found throughout the world. Casinos are regulated by both state and local governments and offer a wide range of gaming options. Some also have luxury amenities like top-notch hotels, spas, restaurants and entertainment.

Because of the high amount of money handled in a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal—either in collusion or independently. To combat this, security measures are used. These include cameras located throughout the casino, high-tech “eyes-in-the-sky” surveillance systems that can watch every table, window and doorway in a casino at once, and separate rooms where staff monitor video feeds for suspicious activities.

Casinos are designed to be noisy, bright and exciting places where people can interact with one another and be engulfed by the action. They have an emphasis on light and color, using gaudy designs to create a sense of energy and excitement. They use noise and music to stimulate the gambling impulse, and they offer food and beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) to their patrons.

While many people believe that casinos are purely luck-based, the reality is that they have a built-in advantage for the house that ensures they will win more than they lose in the long run. This advantage, known as the house edge, is calculated from a combination of a game’s rules, the player’s skill, and the odds of winning or losing.