A casino is an establishment where customers gamble by playing games of chance. These include slot machines, roulette, blackjack, craps and baccarat.

Many of the profits raked in by casinos in the United States come from gambling. Besides these games, there are also musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels to attract visitors.

Casinos make money by offering customers games with a statistical advantage, which is known as the house edge. They earn this edge by accepting bets within an established limit.

The house edge is calculated using mathematically determined odds. This allows a casino to make a profit on every game it offers.

Depending on the type of game and how much it is played, the casino can take a commission called the “rake.” It also pays out winnings to players in proportion to their bets.

The casino can also give away free items or services to good players, which are called comps. These can be in the form of hotel rooms, meals, and tickets to shows.

While casino owners and managers try to keep the business safe, there are still some unscrupulous people who may be tempted to cheat in collusion or independently. There are a number of security measures that casinos have in place, including video surveillance and closed circuit television.