A casino is an establishment for gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. Some casinos also host entertainment events, such as shows and concerts. The word is derived from the Latin cardos, meaning “card game.”
In the United States, casinos are licensed and regulated by state governments. Most states have enacted laws to control the activities of casinos. Some casinos have security measures such as cameras and closed circuit television. In some cases, casinos hire specialized security staff to watch over patrons and employees to prevent cheating and other crimes.
The types of games offered in casinos vary, but most involve chance and some element of skill. Most casino games have a built-in advantage for the house, which is known as the house edge. This edge can be mathematically determined and can help a gambler determine the expected return on investment for different games. These calculations are performed by expert mathematicians called gaming analysts and software developers.
Some casinos feature a variety of table games, such as blackjack and craps. These games require the participation of croupiers or dealers, and may be supervised by one or more casino managers. Other popular table games include baccarat and poker. Some casinos offer Asian-style games, such as sic bo and fan tan.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, many people are tempted to steal or cheat. Because of this, casinos have high levels of security and are heavily regulated.