The term casino is used to refer to establishments where gambling takes place. These facilities offer a wide variety of games that are based on chance, in some cases with an element of skill, and are overseen by trained croupiers or dealers. They may also provide food and beverages to players.
Some casinos feature high-profile entertainment events and performances. The iconic Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, for example, hosts big-name entertainers, including Frank Sinatra, Liberace and Elton John. The resort’s architecture is Roman-inspired and has been praised by architects and designers.
Generally, patrons gamble cash or other value tokens on various games of chance or skill. Some casinos use cards in place of chips for wagering, and these are known as poker games. Other games include baccarat (in the French variant called chemin de fer), blackjack, and roulette.
Patrons are expected to gamble within an established limit. The house always has a mathematical advantage over the players, which is expressed as an expected value or an expectation of profit, and this is referred to as the “house edge.” The actual percentage of the house’s edge in a particular game is determined by the rules of play and can vary between different casinos.
Because of the large amounts of money that are handled inside casinos, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat and steal, either in collusion or independently. To counter this, most casinos have security measures in place. These may range from cameras to catwalks in the ceiling above the gaming floor, which allow surveillance personnel to look directly down at the tables and machines.