A casino is a building or room equipped for gambling games. It may also be a place where people meet to socialize, drink, and dance. A casino may be a permanent establishment or a temporary one. It may be located in a hotel or on a cruise ship.
A player in a casino game has a probability of winning that is independent of the amount of money bet. However, the house has a built-in advantage that ensures that it will win overall. This edge is known as the house edge or vigorish. Players who have sufficient skills to eliminate the house edge or vigorish are called advantage players and can make large profits over the long term.
Most casinos offer several classic table games such as craps, roulette, and blackjack. They are also known for offering a variety of exotic tables such as sic bo (which spread to European and American casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow. Most modern casinos also feature a number of Asian-themed games, including pachinko and baccarat.
Security in a casino is typically divided into a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, which is often referred to as “the eye in the sky.” Regardless of their division, both departments work closely together to identify potential criminal activity and protect casino patrons.