A casino is a building where people can gamble on games of chance and in some cases games with a little skill, such as blackjack, video poker and craps. The games have mathematical odds that guarantee a casino always has a profit over players, known as the house edge or expected value.
A lot goes on behind the scenes at a casino to make it all work. There’s the security, which requires a large staff and cameras to watch patrons. Casinos also have to look for fraud, such as someone counterfeiting gambling chips, or illegal activity such as using a stolen credit card. Casinos have to check IDs and make sure people are of legal gambling age before they can play.
There are other concerns, like food and entertainment. Casinos often have big acts that play there to draw in the crowds. They also pay smaller acts to perform throughout the day to keep the crowds entertained. This all must be managed 24 hours a day.
Of course, casinos are also looking to make money, which means getting as many people in the doors as possible to gamble. For that reason, they offer big bettors extravagant inducements. This might include free spectacular entertainment, luxury transportation and elegant living quarters. Even lesser bettors are given free drinks and cigarettes while gambling, discounted hotel rooms and other gifts. These things make it more likely that people will keep coming back to the casino, hoping for another win.