A casino is a place where people gamble on games of chance or skill. Gambling in casinos generates billions of dollars each year for companies, investors and Native American tribes. It also benefits local governments that impose taxes and fees on gambling. Critics argue that casinos hurt local economies by diverting business away from other types of entertainment, by promoting compulsive gambling, and by depressing property values.

Whether they are built in massive resorts or in smaller card rooms, most casinos feature slot machines and table games such as baccarat, blackjack, and poker. In addition, some offer traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo and fan-tan, and, in the case of Nevada casinos, pai gow and two-up.

Because of the large amounts of money handled in a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal. To prevent this, casinos employ a variety of security measures. In many cases, a high-tech “eye in the sky” surveillance system monitors every table, window, and doorway. In other cases, computers and electronic devices monitor game outcomes minute by minute and quickly discover any statistical deviations.

Most casinos give free goods and services to a player’s total spending, called comps. This is particularly true of big bettors, who often get free hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows, and even limo service and airline tickets. In addition, most casinos have programs that reward players who play a certain amount of time or buy a lot of chips.