A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and, in some cases, skill. These include craps, roulette, blackjack, and video poker. Most of these games have mathematically determined odds that provide a house advantage over the players. This is known as the “house edge,” and it ensures that the casino will eventually make money. The house edge is not as large in games of skill, such as blackjack or baccarat. In these games the house takes a small percentage of every pot, a practice known as raking.

The casino industry is growing rapidly. Some states have changed their antigambling laws to permit casinos, and many American Indian reservations now host casinos. Some of these facilities are large, with multiple gaming tables and restaurants. Others are smaller, with less than 10 tables. Regardless of size, casinos generally offer free food and drinks to keep gamblers on the premises. They also use chips instead of cash, which helps deter theft and makes it easy for players to track how much they are losing or winning.

Some casinos have high-tech surveillance systems that monitor the entire casino floor through one-way glass. Other casinos have catwalks in the ceiling that let security staff look down on each table and slot machine from a separate room. In addition, some casinos have cameras in the ceiling that can zoom in on suspicious patrons and adjust their focus as needed.