A casino is a place where people gamble on games of chance or skill. The most common casino games are poker, blackjack, baccarat and slot machines. A casino also offers other games such as keno, bingo and craps. Casinos make money by charging players for the use of their facilities, giving out complimentary items (complimentary goods or services are called comps) to high bettors and taking a small percentage of each pot in poker, called the rake.
Most casinos have a number of security measures in place to protect their guests and property. These include a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. Modern casinos are generally wired for closed circuit television, which allows security personnel to watch the action in any part of the casino at any time. In addition, many casino security staff are trained to notice suspicious or definite criminal activity that might go unnoticed by players.
Some casinos, particularly those on Native American reservations, are exempt from state antigambling laws and operate independently of state governments. Other casinos are incorporated as private businesses and rely on customers from the local area for their business. The casino industry is largely dominated by Las Vegas, which attracts tourists from around the world to its gambling dens. Other major casinos are found in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Macau, China; and other cities. Casinos are also found in some European countries, especially those with a large expatriate population.