A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is an entertainment complex offering various forms of gambling. It may be equipped with slot machines, table games, and other electronic gaming devices. Casinos may also offer food and drink, and feature musical shows and other forms of live entertainment. They are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shopping, and cruise ships. Many states have legalized casinos, and Nevada has the most. Casinos earn billions of dollars each year from gamblers and attract thousands of visitors from all over the world. A successful casino depends on a variety of factors, including the types of gambling offered and the games’ popularity. Many casinos specialize in a particular type of gambling, such as poker and video poker. Some, such as those in Atlantic City, focus on high-stakes gambling games such as blackjack and roulette. Others, such as those in Las Vegas, draw visitors with their lavish resorts and lighted fountains. Gambling has been around for millennia, and it has become an important part of the entertainment industry. It is believed that the ancient Mesopotamians, the Greeks, and the Romans all played dice and similar games of chance for enjoyment. It is now a major industry in most countries of the world and is regulated by laws. It is not only a recreational activity but also an investment opportunity. In the United States, there are more than 1,000 casinos. They range from megaresorts to small card rooms in truck stops and bars. Some are incorporated into hotels and other large tourist attractions, while others are located in Native American tribal lands. The most popular casino games are slot machines and table games, such as blackjack and craps. Some are even dedicated to tournaments like the World Series of Poker. HOW DO CASINOS MAKE MONEY? In casino games of chance, the odds are always in favor of the house. This advantage can be very small, less than two percent, but it adds up over the millions of bets placed by patrons. In addition, the house takes a fee or commission from each bet, called the vigorish or rake, depending on the game. The profits from these vigorishes and other fees allow casinos to maintain their luxurious buildings with dazzling lights, fountains, and replicas of famous towers and pyramids. The casinos also make money by offering free and reduced-fare transportation, hotel rooms, meals, drinks, and cigarettes while gambling. Some casinos employ expert mathematicians to develop and verify mathematical expected values and variance for the casino’s games. While casino gambling has its dark side, it is an incredibly popular form of entertainment for people from all walks of life. In the United States, the average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old woman from a household with above-average income. This is according to research conducted by Roper Reports GfK NOP and the U.S. Gaming Panel by TNS, and a 2005 study by Harrah’s Entertainment.