A casino (also known as a gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. In the United States, casinos are generally licensed and regulated by state governments. The classic example is the Monte Carlo Casino, which has featured in multiple James Bond novels and films.
In modern times, a casino is almost always a large building that houses a number of gambling tables and slot machines. Table games such as blackjack and roulette are usually played in a room with a dealer. The ambiance is designed around noise, light and excitement. Often, a casino will also offer drinks and snacks to its patrons.
A casino generates most of its revenue from the money bet by its patrons on games of chance. Although musical shows, lighted fountains and elaborate hotel themes help attract customers, it is the games that make casinos millions every year. Each game has a built in statistical advantage for the casino, and this edge can be as low as two percent. This is why it is important for a casino to invest a significant amount of money on security. Casinos use everything from surveillance cameras to armed guards to monitor the games. They even have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one way glass, on the players at their table games and slots.