The word “casino” refers to a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. Today’s casinos are large, elaborate resorts that feature restaurants, shopping centers and stage shows, but they wouldn’t exist without the billions of dollars in profits derived from gambling games like roulette, blackjack, craps, keno and slot machines.

Casinos make their money by charging a percentage of every bet placed. This is called the vig or rake. The advantage can be very small—less than two percent for some games, and much more for others. However, the vig is enough to make casinos profitable and to finance such extravagant extras as hotel towers, fountains and replicas of famous structures.

Something about casinos seems to encourage people to try to cheat or steal their way into a jackpot. That’s why casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. The security staff watches everything that goes on, from the routine ways in which dealers shuffle and deal cards to the expected reactions and movements of players at a table game. This is how they spot problems and keep gamblers safe.

Casinos are found throughout the world, and many of them are located near airports to attract travelers. They also operate on cruise ships, barges and riverboats. Some state and local governments also collect casino taxes and fees, generating revenue for public services like education. In the United States, some casinos are operated by American Indian tribes.