What Is a Casino?

Casino is a gambling establishment where people play various games of chance for money. In addition to offering gambling opportunities, some casinos also host live entertainment events. Casinos are often located near hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and cruise ships. Some are famous for their glamour or historical significance, while others are known for the high-stakes games they offer.

Considering the large amounts of cash that are handled within a casino, cheating and stealing by patrons and employees is a common problem. To combat this, casinos invest a lot of time, effort and money in security measures. The most basic is the use of security cameras throughout the facility.

Another way casinos prevent cheating is through strict rules for dealers and table managers. They must be careful to follow precise routines and make sure players are not making suspicious moves like palming or marking cards. In addition, higher-ups monitor the tables to make sure there are no blatant patterns of cheating.

Lastly, casinos also provide perks for gamblers who spend the most. These are called comps and usually consist of free or discounted meals, drinks and shows. This practice was particularly popular in Las Vegas in the 1970s, when casinos were trying to attract as many high rollers as possible. Today, casinos are much choosier about who they give comps to and focus on customer service. This is especially important for online casinos, which must be easy to navigate and use on desktops and mobile devices.