A casino is an establishment for gambling. It features table games such as blackjack, poker and roulette. Some casinos also feature video slots and electronic versions of other popular games, such as craps. Most casinos are operated by large corporations. Others are operated by local or state governments. Some are located in or near hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
A casino’s profits are based on the house edge and variance of its games. The mathematically optimal game play for any particular hand in a card game is known as basic strategy, and the mathematicians who develop it are called gaming mathematicians and analysts. Casinos also earn money by charging a percentage of the winnings from slot machines, or by paying out winning bets on table games. The resulting revenue is called a vig or rake.
Historically, most casino gambling was illegal, though that did not stop people from engaging in games of chance. The first legalized casino opened in Nevada in 1931, and it took decades for the industry to expand beyond that state.
When most Americans think of a casino, they picture the giant resorts in Las Vegas, which offer dazzling lights and glitzy entertainment. But casinos are smaller and more specialized than that. They are usually categorized by the type of gambling they offer, and they often include restaurants and entertainment venues. Some casinos are even designed around a specific theme or destination, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, famous for its dancing fountains and featured in the movie Ocean’s 11. The United States federal government classifies casino establishments under a six-digit code.