A casino is a gambling establishment where people gamble games of chance or skill for money. Most casinos specialize in one or more particular types of games. Some casinos also provide food and beverage services. They may be standalone facilities or attached to hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships, or other tourist attractions. The largest casinos are in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. There are also many smaller casinos throughout the world.
Gambling is a dangerous industry, and casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. The most obvious security measures are the security cameras that watch over patrons and the tables and machines. Casino employees also keep an eye on each other and can quickly spot blatant cheating or theft. Dealers shuffle cards and mark or switch them, and table managers watch for betting patterns that could indicate a cheating player. Casinos also have a number of other security measures.
Casinos have a lot of money on the line, so they try to lure players in with free food and drinks and other perks. They use bright and sometimes gaudy colors on the floor and walls to give players a stimulating and cheery feeling. Most casinos use chips instead of real money, which makes it harder for people to get too concerned about losing too much. The chips are also easy to track, which helps the casino keep a better eye on its bankroll. Casinos also often have a variety of games for players to choose from, including the traditional far eastern games of sic bo and fan-tan.