A casino (or gambling house) is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. Many casinos also offer restaurants, bars and live entertainment. Casinos can be found in cities, states and countries all over the world. In the United States, casinos are licensed and regulated by state governments. Most states only regulate the type of gambling offered, but some do limit the number of casinos.
Casinos use technology to ensure fair play. Most have video cameras positioned throughout the casino and some even monitor the game tables to spot blatant cheating or suspicious betting patterns. Many table games have special chips with built-in microcircuitry that interact with electronic systems to track the exact amount of money wagered minute by minute, and roulette wheels are monitored electronically to quickly discover any statistical deviation from expected results.
Most modern casinos offer a variety of games, including keno, baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette. They often feature a large selection of slot machines, with some offering jackpots that exceed the million dollar mark. Some casinos offer traditional Far Eastern games, such as sic bo (which spread to European and American casinos in the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow.
Casinos earn a significant portion of their profits from high rollers, or players who bet large amounts. These players are rewarded with “comps” such as free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows, and limo service. Comps are based on how much time and money a player spends at the casino, and can be redeemed for cash or more gaming credits.