Casino is an establishment that allows patrons to gamble and play games of chance, such as baccarat, blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, and slot machines. It also provides a variety of other entertainment options, such as restaurants, shows, and bars. Casinos are popular around the world, and some even offer gambling on a mobile platform.

A casino’s primary goal is to make money by encouraging players to spend their money repeatedly for the chance of winning big. However, casinos must also provide a fun and enjoyable experience to their guests. This is why casino designers take many factors into account when designing the layout of a casino. These factors include the location, lighting, audio, visual, and sound (AVL) systems.

Historically, casinos were run by mobster families or individuals with deep pockets. But as real estate investors and hotel chains got into the business, mob involvement in casinos dropped. Additionally, federal crackdowns on organized crime made it more difficult for mafia members to control a casino. This led to more legitimate businesses running casinos, such as Donald Trump and the Hilton hotel chain.

Because of the large amounts of cash handled in a casino, patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat and steal, either in collusion or independently. To reduce this risk, casinos use a variety of security measures. These include cameras located throughout the casino, and elaborate surveillance systems that monitor every table, window, and doorway. In addition, comps are offered to big spenders, such as free meals and drinks, rooms, and tickets to shows.