A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Some casinos are standalone, while others are built as part of larger resorts or hotels. Regardless of size, most casinos offer the same basic services: gambling, restaurants, bars, and entertainment. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state law and must be licensed to operate.

Many casino games involve a combination of chance and skill. The house always has a mathematical advantage, but it is possible to beat the house by learning the odds and applying a basic strategy. Most casinos have security measures in place to prevent cheating and stealing, both by patrons and employees. These can include cameras, which monitor all activities in the gaming rooms and on the casino floor. In addition, the casino’s security staff keeps an eye on the tables and slot machines.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, it is easy for both patrons and employees to be tempted to steal or cheat. In collusion with other players, or on their own, they may try to “palm” cards (mark or hide them) or switch dice or cards. Security personnel monitor these actions closely and watch for betting patterns that indicate the presence of a collusion.

In the past, organized crime families supplied much of the cash that kept casinos running in places like Reno and Las Vegas, but federal crackdowns on their other rackets forced them to move on. Then came legitimate investors such as real estate developers and hotel chains, who saw how lucrative a glitzy gambling palace could be.