A casino is a gambling establishment with a variety of games where patrons gamble by playing against the house. The games usually include chance and some involve skill. The casino is a major source of revenue for its owners, corporations, investors, and Native American tribes. It also generates billions of dollars each year for local governments that license and regulate them. Casinos are found in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from massive resorts to small card rooms. They may be located in a number of places, including Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. Several states also allow casino-type game machines at racetracks, called racinos.

A large part of a casino’s income comes from the rake, or commission, taken by croupiers in games such as poker and blackjack. The rake is a percentage of the money bet, and casinos are required to post it prominently. In addition, casinos offer complimentary items to players, known as comps. These can include free food, drinks, hotel rooms, show tickets, and limo service. Players earn comps based on the amount they wager and how long they play.

During the 1990s, many casinos began installing sophisticated technology to monitor and control their games. For example, betting chips with built-in microcircuitry interact with electronic systems that enable the casino to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and quickly discover any anomaly. Casinos are also using technology to reduce the risk of cheating and collusion. Security cameras, for example, can detect patterns in the way a dealer deals cards or moves around a table.