Casino, also known as a gambling house or caino, is an establishment for various types of gambling. Modern casinos are often combined with hotel and restaurant facilities. They are generally located in or near resorts, cruise ships, shopping centers, and other tourist attractions. The majority of a casino’s profits (and its employees) are generated by games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, poker, roulette and craps are among the most popular games.

Some casinos offer a variety of different games, while others specialize in certain games or target particular patron groups. For example, Asian casinos feature several traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo and fan-tan. European casinos tend to favor baccarat, chemin de fer, and trente et quarante. American casinos rely heavily on the income from slot machines and other electronic gaming devices.

The large amounts of money handled in casinos make them a prime target for cheating and stealing by both patrons and staff. Security measures are therefore a major concern. Cameras placed throughout the facility enable security personnel to monitor the casino’s activities in real time and identify suspicious patrons.

Many casinos use bright, sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings to create an exciting and stimulating atmosphere. Red is a particularly popular color for this reason; it is thought to make people lose track of time. In addition, the absence of clocks on casino walls is another way to encourage players to gamble for longer periods. In order to keep customers coming back, casinos provide free or discounted food, drinks and shows to “good” patrons. This practice is called comping.