A casino is a place where gambling takes place, and it usually has stage shows, restaurants and other luxuries to attract gamblers. It can also have a theme that draws on history or culture. Its games of chance, which include slots, roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat and video poker, have mathematical odds that give the house an advantage over the players. The profits from these games provide the vast majority of a casino’s revenue. Other sources of income come from a small percentage of money bet on horse races and the rake taken from card games.

A few states have casinos, but they are mainly located in Nevada and Atlantic City. More recently, they have begun to open on American Indian reservations, which are exempt from state antigambling laws.

Casinos spend a huge amount of money on security. Their staffs are heavily trained to look for blatant cheating, such as palming cards or marking dice. They also watch betting patterns to spot unusual behavior. Increasingly, casinos are relying on technology to supervise their games, as well. Chips with built-in microcircuitry let casinos know how much is being wagered minute by minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover statistical deviations.

Many casinos are owned by hotel and resort companies, whose deep pockets keep mobster involvement at bay. But the industry still faces criticism over its effect on local communities, including a shift in spending away from other forms of entertainment and the cost of treating gambling addiction.