The word casino has a reputation for glitz and glamour, and its image is often enhanced by association with exotic locales such as Venice, Monaco, and Singapore. In addition to a wide range of entertainment options, casinos usually offer a variety of gambling games.

Since the late 1970s, casino gambling has grown dramatically as more states have changed their laws to permit it. As a result, large casinos are now the norm in many parts of the country. Casinos often use sophisticated technology to supervise games. For example, chips with built-in microcircuitry interact with electronic systems that enable casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and alert them to any deviation from expected results; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly for abnormalities.

Most games of chance, and some that involve skill, give the house a mathematical advantage over the players, known as the house edge. Some casinos reduce this advantage to less than 1 percent for certain games to attract big bettors, such as blackjack and baccarat. Other games, such as poker, earn the casino money by taking a commission from each player’s wager, known as the rake.

Casinos must attract and retain customers to make a profit, so they use a combination of psychology and technology to stimulate the senses and induce gamblers to spend more money. For instance, the sights and sounds of slot machines are designed by computer programs to appeal to the human senses, with bells, whistles, and the “cling clang” noise of coins falling during payout.