A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and skill. Several of the most popular games in casinos are roulette, blackjack, baccarat and craps. Many of these casinos also offer video poker machines. All of these games have built in mathematical odds that ensure a casino will always win, at least from a gross perspective. These odds are called house edge or vig, and they vary from game to game. A casino’s vig is typically taken out of the winnings of the players, and it is often referred to as a “rake.”
As a result of this virtual assurance of profit, most casinos pay big bettors generously with free spectacular entertainment, meals, luxury living quarters, and even reduced-fare transportation and hotel rooms. This perks system is known as comps. Casinos are a type of gaming business, and they are heavily regulated and monitored by government agencies.
The most famous casinos are in Las Vegas, Nevada, but they are now found around the world. Macau, China is widely viewed as the “Vegas of the East,” and its largest casino-hotel, the Grand Lisboa, is an architectural marvel that looks like a giant birdcage. It is a city landmark that is also home to a restaurant that has been awarded three Michelin stars and the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award for its extensive wine list. In the United States, about 51 million people—a quarter of the adults over 21—visited a casino in 2002. These figures do not include visits to Native American casinos, which are growing at a rapid pace.