A casino is an establishment for gambling. It offers customers a wide variety of casino games, including slot machines, table games and video poker. Most casino games have mathematically determined odds that ensure the house has at all times a long-term advantage over the players, which is also called the house edge. In some games, the advantage may be reduced by skillful play, and such players are known as advantage players. The house edge is generally expressed as a percentage. Casinos often earn money by charging a commission on winning bets, or vigorish.
Despite the fact that gambling is an inherently risky activity, most casinos employ several security measures to protect their patrons and property. These include cameras, as well as other technological and physical means such as wheel locks and chip tracking. In addition, casino staff monitor the games for signs of cheating or theft.
In the United States, there are over 1,000 casinos and gaming destinations. Most casinos are located in cities with a large tourist population, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The number of casinos is growing, with many states legalizing casino gambling and more cities planning to build them.