A casino is a gambling establishment, typically a large building or room where people can play games of chance or skill. Some casinos specialize in certain games, such as blackjack or poker, and offer comps (free food, drinks, or shows) to players. In the United States, the term casino also refers to a gaming establishment run by an Indian tribe.
Casinos are most often located in cities with a high population of people who enjoy gambling. The largest casinos are in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Macau. A small number of casinos are located on Native American reservations. In addition to the traditional gaming rooms, most casinos have restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Most of these facilities are operated by private companies, but some are owned by governments or local civic groups.
The large amount of money handled within casinos creates opportunities for cheating and stealing by patrons and staff. Security measures are therefore a high priority for these locations. In addition to manned security, many casinos use video surveillance systems and have random audits of their gaming activities.
Casinos are in the business of getting gamblers to spend as much as possible, so they go to great lengths to make their environments appealing. They use a variety of colors, lighting, and scents to create a specific mood. In addition, they invest millions of dollars in researching how people respond to different environments and stimuli. This information is valuable in attracting and keeping customers.