A casino is a facility where people can gamble on games of chance. They usually feature a large number of gambling tables and machines, but can also contain restaurants, bars, hotels, non-gambling game rooms and even swimming pools. Casinos are most famous in Las Vegas, but they exist throughout the world.
Most casinos are designed to appeal to the senses, and use design to create an exciting and mysterious atmosphere. The lighting is often dimmed, and the floors are carpeted in richly colored materials. The decor may incorporate themes of wealth or adventure, and some have huge prizes on display, such as sports cars or a massive pyramid.
Because of the amount of money that flows through a casino, it is common for employees and patrons to try to cheat or steal. This can be in collusion or by simple accident. To combat this, many casinos have security measures in place to catch them. Casino security starts on the casino floor, where casino employees keep their eyes on the games and patrons to make sure everything goes as it should. Dealers and pit bosses can spot blatant cheating techniques like palming or marking cards. They can also look for betting patterns that could signal stealing by other players.
Casinos earn their money by charging bettors a commission on the money they win or lose at the tables. This is called the house edge, and it varies by game. It can be a small percentage, but it adds up to billions of dollars in profits for casinos each year.