What is a Casino?
A casino is a place where people gamble on games of chance or skill. Some casinos have live croupiers conducting games of chance or roulette wheels; others have video poker machines, electronic slot machines, or blackjack tables. Some casinos may also host tournaments where players compete against each other. Regardless of their type, most casino games have mathematically determined odds that ensure that the house will win the majority of the time. This is known as the house edge. In games that have a skill element, such as blackjack, the house advantage can be reduced by learning basic strategy. Casinos often earn money from these games by charging a commission, known as the rake.
Most casinos are staffed with security personnel to oversee gambling activities and to detect cheating. Pit bosses and table managers keep an eye on the patrons, looking for blatant cheating such as palming, marking or switching cards or dice. They may also be looking for betting patterns that indicate a player is losing too much or winning too much. Casinos also monitor their tables through cameras and computerized systems; for example, some roulette wheels have built-in microcircuitry that allows them to be electronically monitored minute by minute so that any deviation from expected results can be detected.
Despite their seamy image and the fact that they are illegal in most states, casinos fascinate many people, even those who don’t gamble. The glittering lights, five-star food entertainment and high-roller action attract celebrities and the curious.
