A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. These establishments, also known as gaming houses or simply casinos, are usually built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are regulated by government agencies.
Some of the more luxurious casinos, like Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas strip, are renowned for their entertainment offerings, with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Liberace performing there over the years. The opulence of these casinos is evident in their design, as well, with some of the biggest examples featuring elaborately decorated rooms and ceilings.
Casino games generally fall into three categories: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Gaming machines, such as slot machines, are operated by computerized systems and do not require the involvement of casino employees. Table games, such as blackjack and craps, involve one or more players who compete against the house rather than against other players. Random number games, such as roulette and baccarat, use a series of randomly selected numbers to determine the outcome of a wager.
In order to maximize profits, casinos must know their house edge and variance for each game they offer. This work is typically done by mathematicians and computer programmers who specialize in casino analysis. These analysts must be able to predict the expected return on each bet and alert the casino when a deviation from these expectations occurs. Casinos may employ their own gaming mathematicians or outsource this work to independent experts.