Casino is an entertainment facility that offers a variety of gaming options to patrons. These include slot machines, poker, blackjack and roulette.

Modern casinos use a mixture of physical security force and specialized surveillance departments to prevent crime and other threats. These security officers patrol the casino and respond to calls for assistance, as well as reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity.

In addition to these security measures, casinos may use elaborate surveillance systems and closed circuit televisions. These systems watch all the tables, change windows and doorways, and are monitored by specialized surveillance workers.

These systems allow the casino to keep an eye on a variety of players and ensure that everything is running smoothly. In addition, if an event does occur that could indicate possible cheating or a serious criminal offense, a videotape can be reviewed later for evidence.

Some casinos offer special rewards for good players, which are known as comps. These rewards can range from free hotel rooms to dinners and tickets to shows.

The most common casino games are slot machines and poker. These games are simple, involve matching symbols on a payline for a win, and can be played with real money or chips.

These games are the economic driving force of most American casinos. They generate profit by paying a small house edge and reducing the odds of winning to attract big bettors. This advantage is known as the house edge, and can be calculated by mathematicians or computer programmers.