The Casino (or Kasino) is an establishment that offers gambling, usually with cards, dice and other games of chance. Its glitz and glamour make it synonymous with excitement and fun. However, it is also associated with seediness and shady dealings. It is often located near luxury hotels, restaurants and other attractions.
Although casinos often add luxuries such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to lure gamblers, they would not exist without the games of chance. Craps, poker and roulette are the most popular gambling games. Despite their name, they are not simply games of chance: each game has a mathematical expectancy that makes it very difficult for the average person to win more than they lose.
The modern casino is a very different place than it was in the past. It is often heavily decorated in bright colors that are thought to stimulate the senses and help players focus. It is common to hear people shout encouragement, and nonalcoholic beverages are often provided. The Casino is also designed to make time seem to stand still, with no clocks on the walls and a sound system that plays music at high volume to drown out the sounds of the slot machines.
Security is also a major concern for the Casino. Guests are carefully monitored by cameras and by employees who watch over each table, making sure no one is palming chips or marking cards. There is also a subtle aspect to this security: the patterns of play at each table are very well known to casino employees, and it is very easy for them to spot any deviations from these routines.