A casino is a public place where games of chance are played. These include roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and craps. They are generally built near tourist attractions. The most famous casinos are found in Macau, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City.

Casinos are owned by real estate investors. This is a different way to make money than mob-run casinos. The real estate investors have more money than the mob, but if the mob becomes involved in a casino, the casino will lose its license.

Some casinos provide live entertainment, and offer free meals and drinks. They also give away “comps” to the patrons. These are based on the number of hours that the patron spends at the casino, and the stakes that they are playing.

The casino will usually have a physical security force. They will patrol the casino and respond to any calls for help. They will look for cheating patterns at the table games, and will keep an eye on the casino for suspicious behavior.

Casinos are also monitored through video feeds. These are recorded, and can be reviewed after the fact. Some casinos have catwalks above the casino floor, which allow surveillance personnel to look directly down at the casino floor.

Some casinos also have a specialized surveillance department. This department operates a closed circuit television system and works closely with the casino’s security team to protect the casino’s assets.

Gambling encourages people to engage in scams, fraud, and cheating. It can also be addictive. It is estimated that five percent of all casino patrons are addicted to gambling. These addictions have a huge economic impact on casinos. The costs of treating problem gamblers can actually offset the economic benefits of casinos.