A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is a place where people can gamble. The casino industry is regulated by the law and its operators must be licensed. The main source of income for a casino is the percentage of money bet that it wins. The percentage is usually determined by a mathematical formula and is called the house edge. A casino can also earn money from a game that requires an element of skill, such as poker, by taking a commission from winning players, which is called the rake.

Casinos are renowned for their customer service and offer perks to encourage gamblers to spend more. For example, high rollers may be offered free spectacular entertainment, luxury rooms or discounted travel packages. They can even get discounts on food and show tickets. This is all part of the casino’s strategy to attract and retain customers.

Casinos use advanced technology to monitor games and ensure fairness. For example, electronic sensors on table games can record the exact amount of money wagered minute-by-minute and warn staff if a pattern emerges that suggests cheating. Computer programs can also calculate the expected value of bets and detect anomalies. This work is done by specialists in the field, called gaming mathematicians and analysts. Casinos that have these experts in-house are able to minimize their expenses and maximize their profits. This is why casinos are able to afford to give away large sums of money to their customers.