A casino is a building or room where people play games of chance for money. Modern casinos also offer other entertainment such as shows and restaurants. They usually have a luxurious feel and are often themed. Some famous casinos include the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which is known for its dancing fountains and was featured in the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven.

Casinos make their money by taking a percentage of the bets placed by patrons. Most games have a house edge, which is determined by the odds and the specific rules of the game. In games that involve skill, such as blackjack, the house edge can be minimized by applying basic strategy. Other games, such as poker, are based purely on luck and earn the casino money through a commission called the rake.

The casino industry is heavily regulated. Security starts on the casino floor, where employees keep a close eye on patrons and games to spot blatant cheating. Dealers are trained to be observant and can detect such behavior as palming, marking or switching cards or dice. Pit bosses and table managers oversee the bigger picture, watching for betting patterns that may indicate cheating.

Casinos also use technology to ensure fairness. Many modern machines are wired to a central server so that any statistical deviation from expected results is immediately noticed. In addition, video cameras and other technologies are used to monitor the integrity of the games themselves.