A casino is an establishment that offers various types of gambling. Some casinos specialize in certain games, such as baccarat, blackjack, poker and roulette. Others offer a wide variety of games, such as craps, bingo and video poker. Some casinos also have a restaurant and a bar. Many casinos are located in exotic locations, such as Venice, Monaco and Singapore. Others are built in hotels or resorts, such as the Casino Estoril near Lisbon.

Most casino games involve some element of skill, but the house always has an advantage over the players. This advantage, which is mathematically determined and can be lower than two percent in games of chance, is known as the house edge. In addition to the house edge, casinos earn money by taking a commission on winning bets, often called a rake.

Despite the prevailing myth that casino gambling is losing its appeal, the number of people visiting brick-and-mortar casinos continues to rise. According to research conducted by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel, the average American casino gambler in 2005 was a forty-six-year-old female with an above-average income.

Security is a high priority at most casino facilities. This starts on the casino floor, where staff members watch the games and the patrons closely to spot any suspicious activity. Dealers, for example, are trained to recognize blatant cheating techniques like palming or marking cards. Pit bosses and table managers have a more broader view of the casino and can note betting patterns that might suggest collusion.