Casinos are establishments where people gamble by playing games of chance and, in some cases, skill. They usually offer the standard table games of blackjack and roulette, but may also include poker games and other activities that do not involve a live dealer but are conducted by one or more individuals, such as online slot machines and tournaments. Casinos often serve food and beverages, and some even feature entertainment, such as stage shows.
Casino patrons are often tempted to cheat and steal, either in collusion with fellow gamblers or independently. As such, casinos employ a variety of security measures to deter this behavior. Some of these include armed security guards and cameras throughout the facility. Other measures may include loyalty programs that award gift cards or electronics, cashback, bonuses and vacations to players who spend significant amounts of money with the casino.
Many casinos offer free drinks and snacks to their patrons, and some offer a wide selection of video slots. Some casinos also offer a variety of table games, including sic bo (which spread to European and American casinos in the 1990s), fan-tan and pai gow. Some Asian casinos offer traditional Far Eastern games, such as two-up and banca francesa. In general, all casino games have a mathematical expectancy that guarantees the house an edge over players. Because of this, it is rare for a patron to win more than the casino’s minimum investment in a single game.