A casino is a place where people can play games of chance for money. Large casinos may also offer restaurants, hotels, bars, non-gambling game rooms and other amenities for their patrons. Casinos can be designed around a specific theme or feature a mix of games. Regardless of their design, all casinos aim to create an exciting and memorable experience for their visitors.

Although musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers help attract customers, casinos would not exist without games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other gambling games provide the billions in profits that casinos rake in every year.

While the glitz and glamour of the modern casino often draws the most attention, the industry’s dark side is no secret. Many casinos have been the scene of cheating, illegal activities and even violence. In addition, the high stakes involved in some casino games attract organized crime figures.

The security measures taken by casinos to prevent cheating and theft are complex. The most obvious measure is the presence of cameras throughout the facility. Security personnel watch the cameras remotely and can zoom in on suspicious activity. Security staff also monitor patrons by watching them from behind a window or doorway and can move to an empty table or slot machine to observe the action more closely.

In order to lure people back to their establishments, casinos often reward frequent gamblers with comps. These free items or discounts on hotel rooms, food and drinks are based on the amount of money gamblers spend in their facilities. A casino’s perks can extend to limo service and airline tickets for the biggest spenders.