A casino is an establishment offering gambling opportunities. The modern casino is like an indoor amusement park for adults, with the vast majority of entertainment (and profits for the owners) coming from games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps are just a few of the many games that help casinos rake in billions every year.

A number of different types of casinos exist, ranging from upscale Las Vegas mega-resorts to seedy pai gow parlors in New York’s Chinatown. But no matter the size, design or locale, a casino’s profitability depends on its games. This article looks at how casinos make money, how they are regulated, what popular games are played and the dark side of the business.

Casinos make their money by calculating the expected profit of each game they offer, and how much they need in reserves to cover big bettors’ losses. To do this they hire mathematicians and computer programmers who specialize in gaming analysis.

Something about casinos seems to encourage people to cheat and steal, perhaps because the amount of money involved in a casino is so large that it would be tempting to try to increase your odds of winning by taking advantage of human nature. The casinos’ response to this is elaborate surveillance systems, with cameras that watch every table, window and doorway, and can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons.

Another way that casinos make their money is by charging guests for the perks and luxury amenities they provide. This could include a meal at a top restaurant, a suite in a hotel or even transportation on a private jet.