A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance for money, typically involving cards and dice. Some casinos also offer more elaborate games of chance, with a significant skill element, such as video poker or blackjack. Many of these games have a built in house advantage, which can vary from game to game but is typically less than two percent (the exact amount depends on the rules and strategy). This edge earns casinos billions in profit every year, allowing them to build lavish hotels, fountains, pyramids and towers.

While the large majority of gamblers are just casual players, some are high rollers who bet tens of thousands of dollars at a time. These high-stakes gamblers are often rewarded with special perks, called comps, that can include free rooms, food, drinks and even show tickets.

The high-stakes gamblers are watched closely by a variety of security measures, including cameras and eye-in-the-sky surveillance systems. Each person at a table game is also tracked by a pit boss or manager, who looks for betting patterns that could indicate cheating. Casino employees are also trained to watch for unusual behavior such as nervousness or an inability to maintain eye contact.

All of the security measures are designed to keep customers safe and happy, but there is another goal: to make people feel like they are in a unique environment that has been designed to maximize their pleasure. This may explain why so many casinos are decorated with beautiful art and luxurious furnishings.