A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is a place where people can gamble. Casinos feature a variety of games of chance, as well as dining and entertainment options. Some casinos are located in or near hotels, resorts, or cruise ships. Other casinos are standalone buildings. In some cases, casinos are built as part of amusement parks or other tourist attractions.
Modern casinos are like indoor amusement parks, with food courts, shopping opportunities, and a wide array of games. But the vast majority of their profits come from gambling, which accounts for billions of dollars in annual profits. Craps, roulette, blackjack and other table games are among the most popular casino games. Slot machines are the most popular, and casinos earn a greater percentage of their revenue from them than any other game.
In addition to the games of chance, some casinos offer traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan, and pai-gow. Some also have a variety of horse racing games, as well as baccarat and keno.
Because large amounts of money are handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. To counter this, casinos have a variety of security measures. Some are obvious, such as cameras located throughout the facility. Others are less apparent, such as the way tables and chairs are arranged to deter cheating. Also, the routines and patterns of casino games make it easier for security personnel to spot suspicious behavior.