A casino is a facility where people can gamble by playing games of chance or skill. The games are typically operated by a casino dealer and may involve the use of cards, dice, or other game equipment. The facility can also host entertainment shows and serve food and beverages. In order to play at a casino, patrons must be of legal gambling age and follow the rules and regulations of the establishment.
Most casinos offer a wide variety of casino games, such as blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat. Some casinos specialize in certain games, such as keno or video poker. Casinos often employ gaming mathematicians and computer programmers to design games that have a house edge, which gives the casino a profit no matter how large or small the total bet is.
In addition to traditional table games, many casinos feature Asian-themed games such as sic bo and fan-tan. In some countries, such as Singapore, casinos also offer games unique to the region such as two-up and pai gow.
The largest casino in the United States is in Las Vegas, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. Other well-known casinos include the Monte Carlo in Monaco, and Dragonara Palace on the island of Malta. In Europe, the most famous casino is probably the Casino Estoril on the Portuguese Riviera. It has been featured in several films and books, including Ben Mezrich’s Busting Vegas, where MIT students beat the casino out of nearly $1 million.