A casino is an establishment where a certain type of gambling takes place. While casinos may be famous for their lighted fountains, shopping centers, musical shows and lavish hotels, most of the fun (and profits) come from games of chance and skill. Slot machines, black jack, roulette, craps, keno and other such games account for billions of dollars in revenue that casinos rake in every year.

The majority of casinos are in the United States, with the largest concentration in the Las Vegas valley and Atlantic City. However, there are also many more casinos located outside of those markets. Some of these are small, localized venues that offer a limited number of games, while others are large resorts and entertainment complexes with multiple gaming tables and rooms.

Because of the high amounts of money that are handled, security is an important part of any casino. While cameras are the most visible component, other tools are used as well. For example, table dealers are trained to watch for blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards, and pit bosses and managers have a broader view of the action to spot unusual betting patterns.

Casinos often reward their big spenders with complimentary goods or services, known as comps. These can include hotel rooms, restaurant food and beverages, show tickets, limo service and even airline tickets. Comps are typically based on the amount of time and money a person spends at a casino, rather than their overall winnings or losses.