A casino is a place where people gamble. Typically, the games played in casinos are card games like poker and blackjack, dice games like craps, and wheel games such as roulette. Many casino games have a skill element, and the skillful play of those with basic strategy can reduce the house edge to almost zero.
Unlike Internet gambling and lotteries, casino gambling has a social aspect to it. Players are either directly interacting with other gamblers, as in the case of games such as craps and poker, or they are surrounded by other people as they play the slot machines. Casinos often have a boisterous and partylike atmosphere designed around noise, light, and excitement. Players shout out encouragement, and alcoholic drinks are easily accessible. Casinos also offer nonalcoholic beverages and snacks free of charge.
In addition to providing a stimulating environment, casinos often provide special perks to encourage and reward big bettors. These perks are known as comps, and they can include free food and drink (including alcoholic beverages), hotel rooms, show tickets, and even airline tickets. The perks are given in return for large wagers, and they are generally only available to those who regularly visit the casino.
To ensure fair play, casinos have a variety of security measures. They use cameras to monitor the casino floor, and they have employees whose jobs involve watching other gamblers for any suspicious behavior. These people are called pit bosses and table managers. They can spot blatant cheating, such as palming or marking cards. They can also see how much money each table is winning or losing.
