A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is a place where people can gamble and win money. The modern casino industry is dominated by large publicly-traded corporations, private investors, and Native American tribes. Casinos are also very lucrative businesses, bringing in billions of dollars each year for their owners and operators. In addition to the money paid by gamblers, casinos also make a profit from food and drink sales, hotel rooms, and other amenities.
The games played in a casino are usually based on chance, although some involve an element of skill. Most of the time, mathematically determined odds ensure that a casino will make money in the long run (although some games are closer to even than others). This advantage is referred to as the house edge or expected return to player. Casinos also take a percentage of the money bet, called the rake, in poker and other card games where players compete against one another.
In order to attract customers and keep them coming back, casinos offer a variety of incentives and bonuses. These are referred to as comps and can include free show tickets, meals, hotel stays, or even cash. In the 1970s Las Vegas casinos used to promote their comps by using more than 15,000 miles of neon tubing to light up the strip.
The modern casino relies on sophisticated technology to oversee its many operations. Casinos use video cameras to monitor guests and the games, and have systems that automatically track and record bets made with electronic chips. Roulette wheels are electronically monitored and any statistical deviation from the expected results is quickly discovered.