A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. It may be found in large resorts like Las Vegas and Monaco, or it can be smaller places such as a small card room. The games of chance offered in casinos include slot machines, blackjack, roulette, poker and other table games. Some casinos also have entertainment venues like music shows and lighted fountains. Casinos can generate billions of dollars in profits each year for their owners and investors. Casinos can also bring in substantial revenues to state and local governments through taxes and fees.
Casinos are regulated by law to prevent cheating and theft. They employ security cameras throughout the building to keep watch on patrons and their actions. Some have high-tech eye-in-the-sky systems that can monitor the entire floor from a control room. In addition, staff members watch patrons closely to catch any suspicious behavior. The casino business was once run by the mob, but real estate developers and hotel chains with deep pockets bought out the gangsters and took over the industry. The legalization of gambling in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s led to many new casinos, especially in Atlantic City and on American Indian reservations where they are exempt from state anti-gambling laws.
Casinos are mainly profit-driven, and they attract the most profitable gamblers by offering a variety of amenities and incentives to gamble. For example, they offer comps to big gamblers, which are free or discounted items such as food, drinks, hotel rooms and tickets to shows. Most casinos also have clubs that reward loyal customers with points that can be exchanged for cash or free gambling.