A casino is an establishment for gambling. Some casinos have a wide variety of games and some are famous for particular types of gambling, such as baccarat. Some are part of larger resorts and hotels, while others stand alone as gambling establishments. Some also offer entertainment, such as comedians or musical acts. Casinos have security measures to prevent cheating and theft by patrons and staff, in collusion or independently. These include security cameras throughout the casino, as well as electronic monitoring of game results. In table games, like blackjack and trente et quarante, the tables are watched by pit bosses or managers with a broader view of the action. Casinos also watch the betting patterns of patrons to spot blatant cheating.
Casinos depend on gross profit as their primary source of income. This means that they need to make sure that all bets are made within an established limit, and that no patron wins more than a casino can afford to pay out. To achieve this, many games have built in mathematical odds that give the house a small advantage over patrons. This advantage is a portion of each wager, often called the vig or the rake.
Some casinos focus on high rollers, who gamble in special rooms away from the main floor and often place bets worth thousands of dollars or more. These bettors are rewarded with comps, or complimentary items or services, such as free food, drinks, hotel rooms and tickets to shows. They may also receive limousine service and airline tickets if they spend enough money at the casino.