What Is a Casino?

A casino, or kasino, is a gambling establishment where people can play games of chance for money. Some of the games have an element of skill, but most do not. A typical casino offers a wide variety of table and slot machines, along with restaurant and hotel facilities. In some countries, casinos must have a specific license to operate. Some are owned by major companies, such as those that own the Hilton hotel chain. Others are privately owned by individuals.

Each game in a casino has a built-in mathematical advantage for the house, which is typically less than two percent. This advantage is called the house edge. It allows the casino to earn a profit despite losing bets on some days. In games such as blackjack, where patrons gamble against each other, the casino makes its profit by taking a rake, or percentage of each pot.

Casinos also make profits by attracting people who spend more than the average customer, such as big bettors or long-time players. These patrons are rewarded with free or reduced-fare transportation, hotel rooms, shows and food and drink. Some casinos offer a series of rewards for all patrons, while others reward only the largest bettors. In the latter case, a casino might give an elite group of patrons free trips to Las Vegas or other locations and limo service. Some casinos display the names of the biggest winners on a wall or in other prominent places.