Casinos are public places where people gamble by playing games of chance. They are also public places where artists perform. The majority of casino entertainment comes from gambling.

Casinos offer a wide variety of games. Some of the most popular include roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker and craps. In casinos, these games are monitored by employees who watch the play of patrons.

During the 1990s, some casinos began using technology to increase security. These technologies include “chip tracking,” which monitors wagers minute by minute.

Casinos use security cameras to watch for suspicious behavior. Video feeds are then reviewed.

Casinos also employ a physical security force that patrols the casino floor and responds to calls for assistance. Casinos also have a specialized surveillance department. This department, known as an “eye in the sky,” operates a closed circuit television system.

A major advantage for the house is the “house edge,” which is a mathematically determined advantage the house has over the player. Casinos typically require an advantage of 1% on most table games and 8% on slot machines.

Some casinos also offer rebate policies, which give the player a percentage of his or her earning potential back if the bettor actually loses money. Some of these comp policies are based on the theoretical loss, while others involve a mixture of systems.

In addition, many casinos offer free cigarettes and beverages to the gambling public. Besides gambling, casinos also offer reduced-fare transportation to big bettors.