A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons pay to play games of chance or skill. Some casinos also offer a variety of entertainment and amenities. Casinos can be found in a wide range of countries, including the United States. They offer a full spectrum of table games, from blackjack and roulette to video poker. They also feature many slot machines, some of which are progressive.

Some people gamble to make money, and others do it simply because they enjoy the excitement of a casino environment. Whatever the motivation, large amounts of money handled by casino employees and patrons can tempt them to cheat or steal in collusion with each other or independently. That’s why casinos spend a great deal of time, effort and money on security measures.

Unlike home gambling, where players compete against each other, casinos play against the house. This gives the house a mathematical advantage, called the house edge. In addition, the casino takes a small percentage of all winnings from each game as a fee, called the rake.

Modern casinos have increased the use of technology for security purposes. For example, “chip tracking” allows casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute-by-minute and quickly discover any anomaly; and a sophisticated system of cameras can act as an eye-in-the-sky. Some casinos also employ mathematicians who study the expected results of various casino games to ensure they aren’t being rigged. The resulting data is known as gaming analysis.