A casino is a gambling establishment that offers patrons the opportunity to gamble in games of chance or skill. Most casinos feature table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette. In addition to these, some also offer video poker and other electronic gaming machines. All casino games have a mathematical expectancy that gives the house an advantage over the players, which can be expressed as a negative expected value.
Some casinos also offer traditional Far Eastern games, such as sic bo (which spread to European and American casinos in the 1990s) fan-tan and pai gow. Many modern casinos use technology to monitor their tables and slot machines, such as the so-called “chip tracking,” which enables them to oversee the exact amount of money wagered minute-by-minute and warn staff about any anomaly; or roulette wheels that are electronically monitored regularly, so any statistical deviation from expected results is quickly discovered.
Although gambling is the main source of income for most casinos, they have long understood that it’s not enough to keep customers coming back – and so have offered a wide range of other incentives and entertainment options. From free spectacular entertainment to all-you-can-eat buffets, elegant living quarters and even reduced-fare transportation, they have strived to turn their venues into a destination experience. While this strategy has helped them to remain profitable, it has also contributed to increased addiction and problems with gambling among the general population. This has led to increased state regulation and restrictions on casino activities in many countries.