What Is a Casino?

A casino is a place where people gamble by playing games of chance. The games often have an element of skill, but the house always has a mathematical advantage over the players. The advantage is called the house edge, and it is generally uniform for all games. In some cases, the house also takes a commission, known as the rake, from the players. Unlike home gambling, casinos are regulated and overseen by the government.

Many large hotels have casinos, and they compete to be the biggest in their region or even the world. These behemoths are filled with everything from gaming tables to Michelin-starred restaurants and high-profile entertainment. The largest casinos have a reputation for being palatial and exclusive, but they are not without their faults. They can hurt local housing markets and make it hard for people to afford to live nearby.

Some casinos are famous for their live entertainment. Caesars in Las Vegas has a long history of hosting celebrities and musicians. Their Circus Maximus showroom has hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to Celine Dion, and it is currently the home of a two-year residency by Mariah Carey.

Other casinos are known for their unique and luxurious amenities. The Venetian Macao, for example, features a performance lake with choreographed fountain shows that are set to music. The hotel offers five-star hotel accommodations and a huge range of gaming options, including table games like baccarat and blackjack, as well as slot machines. They also offer Far Eastern games, such as sic bo (which spread to several European and American casinos in the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai-gow.