A casino is a gambling establishment, offering various games of chance to customers. These games are often combined with entertainment, such as concerts and stand-up comedy. A casino also may be part of a larger complex that offers other amenities, such as restaurants and retail shopping. Casinos are legal in most jurisdictions, but their operations are subject to regulation by government agencies.
Modern casinos use technology to supervise their games, as well as protect their patrons and employees. In addition to video cameras, many casinos employ a system called chip tracking. This allows the casinos to keep track of the amounts wagered minute by minute and quickly detect any statistical deviation from expected results. Roulette wheels are monitored electronically to prevent fraud, and some casinos even have wholly automated versions of their table games.
In most modern casinos, the game selection includes a large number of slot machines, along with a variety of other games that involve chance and skill. Almost all of these games are operated by computer chips. Those that require some level of player skill, such as blackjack and poker, generally have rules that allow the house to retain a small advantage over the players.
Some casinos offer a variety of other games, including traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo (which became popular in several European and American casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow poker. In addition, some casinos have rooms dedicated to less common games like baccarat and chemin de fer.
