A casino is a place where people can gamble on a variety of games of chance. Some casinos add a wide range of amenities to attract customers, such as free drinks and stage shows. But even a basic casino has to meet certain legal requirements to qualify as one.
Most casino games have an inherent long-term disadvantage to the house, or “house edge,” but some have a skill element that can eliminate that advantage. Those who develop these skills are known as advantage players. Many casinos employ mathematically oriented scientists called gaming mathematicians to determine the house edge and variance for each game and then design the machines and tables accordingly.
The modern casino often has an elaborate surveillance system that monitors every table, window and doorway. It is designed to spot cheating by patrons trying to palm cards or mark dice. Casino surveillance systems also detect unusual betting patterns that might indicate collusion between players at a table. Video cameras can be focused on suspicious patrons from a control room filled with banks of security monitors.
In the past, gangsters ran the most successful casinos, but federal crackdowns and mob infighting have forced many of them to relocate or close altogether. Hotel chains and real estate investors with deep pockets have bought out many of the mobsters, taking over their operations with a higher level of professionalism. They are more concerned with attracting repeat business than maintaining their reputations for glamour and extravagance.