Modern casinos resemble indoor amusement parks for adults with musical shows, lighted fountains and elaborate hotels. But the majority of casino entertainment (and profits for the owner) comes from gambling games like blackjack, poker, roulette and craps. These games provide the billions of dollars in profits that rake in American casinos every year.

Each casino game has a built in statistical advantage for the house. This edge can be as low as two percent, but it adds up over millions of bets. It is also a key reason why it’s so important to gamble responsibly, setting your bankroll and sticking to it.

In addition to the games themselves, casinos focus on persuading people to gamble. They offer perks like free drinks and food while gambling, reduced-fare transportation, elegant living quarters and other inducements. They also promote their gambling, with signs and television commercials featuring big wins.

Casinos are often located in tourist destinations, and they draw visitors from all over the world. Some countries have strict laws on how casinos operate and what games they can play. Others, such as Nevada, have looser regulations, and their casinos are a mix of old-fashioned games and newer machines.

The dark side of casino gambling involves compulsive gambling and the damage it can do to a community. Studies show that it shifts spending away from other forms of local entertainment, and the cost of treating problem gambling addicts reverses any economic gains a casino might bring in.