A casino, or gaming hall, is a gambling establishment that offers various games of chance and, in some cases, skill. Casinos are most commonly found in hotels and resorts, but also exist in cruise ships, horse race tracks and some other locales. Some casinos specialize in particular games, such as poker or baccarat, or offer a wide variety of games, including keno, roulette, blackjack and video poker.

Most casino games have built in statistical advantages for the house that, when averaged over millions of bets, earn the casino money. In games with a skill element, the house edge can be less than two percent, but it can vary widely based on the rules of the game and the player’s skill level. Casinos also make money through a commission on certain games, known as the rake, and through the sale of complimentary goods or services, called comps.

The earliest casinos were operated by organized crime groups, but as real estate investors and hotel chains gained power in the industry they bought out the mob and eliminated their influence. Modern casinos are largely free of mob involvement, thanks to federal crackdowns and the possibility of losing a license at the slightest hint of mob ties.

Casino security begins on the casino floor, where employees keep a close eye on patrons to spot suspicious behavior. Dealers are trained to watch for blatant cheating, such as palming, marking or switching cards or dice. Table managers and pit bosses have a wider view of the tables to monitor for betting patterns that could indicate cheating.