What Is a Casino?

A casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. It is sometimes called a gaming house, or simply a casino. Casinos can be found in the United States and around the world, from massive resorts to small card rooms. They generate billions of dollars each year for the owners, investors and Native American tribes.

There are rules and regulations governing casino gambling, but they differ from state to state. Some have banned gambling entirely, while others allow it only on certain days or in specific areas. Some even limit it to players over a certain age or with a minimum amount of money they can bet.

Despite these regulations, casinos are still popular with many people. In fact, there are more than 3,000 legal casinos worldwide. These include land-based casinos, racetracks with slot machines, and “racinos” in some American cities. Casinos also exist on many American Indian reservations and are often exempt from state antigambling laws.

Casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security. They have highly trained employees watching over all the patrons and games to make sure everything goes as it should. Dealers have a close view of the game and can quickly spot blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards or dice. Pit bosses and table managers have a broader view and watch for betting patterns that might indicate cheating.

Casino security is augmented by a variety of electronic surveillance systems. These are often used in conjunction with traditional surveillance cameras. In some cases, the cameras are controlled from a central location to focus on certain suspicious patrons.