A casino is a facility for gambling. In some countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by governments to operate legally. Others are not. Regardless of their legality, casinos often provide the public with entertainment opportunities such as shows and dining. Many people visit casinos to gamble and win money. They may also use the facilities to socialize and drink. However, the amount of money handled by casinos makes them susceptible to theft and fraud, both by patrons and employees. To protect themselves, most casinos employ a variety of security measures.

The most common types of casino games are gaming machines, table games, and random number games. Gaming machines, such as slot machines and pachinko, are played by one or more players at a time and do not require the involvement of casino employees. Table games, such as blackjack and craps, are facilitated by casino employees known as croupiers or dealers. Random number games, such as roulette and baccarat, are based on the selection of random numbers.

In the United States, most casinos offer a wide range of games. Traditionally, table games such as blackjack and poker have been popular with players due to their high payouts and simplicity. More recently, video poker and electronic versions of classic table games have become available. In addition, casinos have increasingly relied on technology to supervise their gaming operations. For example, in “chip tracking,” betting chips with built-in microcircuitry interact with electronic systems to allow casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute-by-minute, and to quickly discover any anomaly; likewise, roulette wheels are monitored electronically to detect any statistical deviation from their expected results.