A casino is a facility where gambling activities such as poker, blackjack, and slot machines take place. Most casinos also have entertainment and dining options. A casino may also be a temporary venue for concerts or other events. Some states have legalized casinos and operate them under state law, while others prohibit them or regulate their operations. The largest casino in the United States is located in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to a 2005 study by Roper Reports GfK NOP and TNS, the average American casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old female from a household with an above-average income, and who has some form of higher education. Other studies have found that casino gamblers are more likely to be married, with children, and with above-average income levels than the general population.
In games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette, patrons compete against the house (the casino), rather than against other players. The house has a mathematical advantage over the patrons, which is usually expressed as a percentage of expected value. In games where the house doesn’t have a mathematical edge, such as poker, it earns money by taking a commission on bets, which is known as the rake.
Modern casinos have increased their use of technology for security purposes. For example, many tables now have built-in microcircuitry that interacts with electronic systems to monitor the amount of money wagered minute by minute; the resulting data is compared with statistical expectations, and anomalies are discovered quickly. Video cameras monitor games, and computerized systems track and record player actions, while automated devices such as spitballs or wheel sensors control the outcome of some games.