A casino is a place where gambling activities take place. While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and elaborate hotels draw people in and make it possible to turn casinos into entertainment complexes, they wouldn’t exist without games of chance that generate the billions in profits that casinos rake in every year. Slot machines, blackjack, poker and other games of chance are what make casino’s tick.

While the house edge on all casino games is usually no more than two percent, this built in advantage gives the casino the ability to profit from millions of bets placed by patrons. This virtual assurance of gross profit allows casino owners to offer big bettors extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment, transportation and elegant living quarters.

In addition to the many popular casino games, some also have tables for traditional card games such as baccarat, chemin de fer and blackjack. Asian games such as sic bo and fan-tan are also found in many casinos.

Security in a casino starts on the floor, where employees keep a close eye on game play and patrons. Dealers can spot blatant cheating, such as palming or marking cards and dice. Table managers and pit bosses have a wider view, watching for betting patterns that could signal cheating or collusion. Observers also note the actions and reactions of people at the tables, looking for telltale signs that someone is cheating or stealing money from others.