A casino is a place where people gamble on games of chance. These include table games such as blackjack, poker, roulette and craps, as well as slot machines. Historically, casinos were places where gangsters ran gambling operations. They offered free drinks, stage shows and luxurious living quarters to keep their patrons coming back. But with federal crackdowns on organized crime and the ability of large hotel chains to offer low rates on rooms, casinos have shifted away from being mafia playgrounds.

Today’s casinos are devoted almost entirely to gaming, with a few non-gambling attractions like restaurants and shopping areas. In the United States, most casinos are located in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Nevada; and Puerto Rico. Some American Indian reservations, which are exempt from state antigambling laws, also have casinos.

Casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security. Most modern casinos use sophisticated cameras and computers to monitor the activities of their patrons, as well as a variety of other methods. For example, betting chips have built-in microcircuitry to allow the casinos to see how much is wagered minute by minute and be warned of any anomalies; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any deviations from their expected results.

Casinos make their money by adding a small percentage to the amount bet on each game. The average casino profit is less than two percent, but that can add up over the millions of bets placed each year. That plus generous inducements to big bettors, such as free spectacular entertainment and reduced-fare transportation and accommodations, allows casinos to make a profit that can support their impressive fountains, pyramids, towers and replicas of famous landmarks.