A casino (also known as a gaming house or a gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment such as musical performances and stand up comedy.
A casino’s primary source of income is the money bet by patrons on various games. Slot machines, the most popular form of gambling in casinos, typically produce about 50% of all casino revenue. Other popular casino games include baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. Many casinos offer regular poker tournaments and cash games, while some have full-service sportsbooks.
Because of the large sums of money involved in casino gambling, it is not uncommon for cheating and theft to occur. To combat this, casinos employ elaborate security systems. For example, in some casinos, the chips used in table games contain microcircuitry that allows a computer to monitor the exact amount wagered minute by minute and warn when a deviation from expected results occurs. Casinos also use video cameras to monitor everything from general activity in the casino to the movements of specific patrons.
Casinos have a long history of being associated with glamour and wealth, especially in Las Vegas where they are known as the main draw for visitors. In addition to their gambling offerings, most casinos feature world-class spas and restaurants. Some are even located in spectacular locations, such as the Ibiza Gran Casino overlooking the marina and Old Town on the island of Ibiza.
