A Casino is a gambling establishment offering games of chance. Modern casinos are elaborate entertainment complexes with musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and luxurious hotels. The billions in profits raked in by the industry each year make casinos major attractions for tourists and locals alike.
The term casino is most often used for gaming facilities located in or combined with hotels and resorts, but there are also standalone casinos, racinos (racetrack-based casinos), and even casinos on cruise ships. In many countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by government agencies to ensure fair play and integrity.
Table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat are common features in casino floors. Some offer tournaments and other events for players. Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, and some casinos feature dedicated poker rooms. A croupier facilitates each game. Casinos usually charge a small fee, called the rake, for each hand dealt.
Besides the classic table games, some casinos specialize in Far Eastern games such as sic bo and fan-tan. They may also feature a few traditional American games like bingo and horse racing.
A casino’s reputation for fair play is essential to its success. Casinos hire mathematicians and computer programmers to design games that produce a desired profit margin, while limiting losses and maximizing wins. These professionals are sometimes referred to as gaming mathematicians and analysts. Casinos use these specialists to help them stay in business and keep their customers happy.