A casino is a place that allows customers to gamble by playing games of chance. This includes table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker, as well as slot machines and video games. In most cases, these games have mathematically determined odds that give the house an edge over the players. This advantage is sometimes called the house edge or the expected value. Often, the house will also offer perks to its patrons such as complimentary items or comps.

Modern casinos usually have several security departments. These include a physical security force that patrols the premises and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. In addition, the casino may have a specialized surveillance department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system. This system is known as the eye in the sky, and it is often referred to by casino managers as their most valuable asset.

The casino industry has seen rapid growth over the past decade, especially in the Asia Pacific region, where the largest casinos are based in Macao and Singapore. The future of the casino industry is likely to be driven by these same economies, which have huge potential for growth in the coming years.