Casino is a place where people gamble by playing games of chance or skill. The game of choice is usually a card or table game, such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. In addition, casinos often offer other forms of gambling, such as slot machines and video poker, as well as sports betting. Casinos are generally large and glamorous, but they can also be small and unassuming. Many are located in major cities, while others are smaller businesses that serve local markets.
Casinos are generally regulated at the state and local level, rather than by federal government agencies. In the United States, the industry is categorized under NAICS code 713210. This classification includes establishments that provide casino gambling services, but it excludes racetrack casinos (which are casinos that have racing tracks on site).
Most casinos use various methods of security to protect patrons and employees. The most basic measure is security cameras throughout the facility. Some casinos use catwalks above the gaming floor to allow surveillance personnel to look down, through one-way glass, on players at the tables and slot machines. In some cases, casinos employ mathematicians who specialize in studying the mathematical odds of different casino games to determine their profitability. These are sometimes referred to as gaming mathematicians or casino analysts.
Casinos go to great lengths to attract and keep customers. They often employ a wide range of marketing strategies and techniques, including offering free merchandise, meals, and drinks to frequent customers, and offering special bonuses to high rollers. Statistical deviations from the expected value of a game are known as house edges, and casinos strive to minimize these edges.