A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Its name is derived from the Latin word caino, which means “little house”. A modern casino generally has one or more gaming tables and a number of slot machines. It may also offer entertainment shows. In the United States, casinos are licensed and regulated by the state in which they operate. People can exchange money for chips to play games, but they must be of legal age to do so.

The games in a casino are divided into three general categories: gaming machines, table games, and random number games. Gaming machines are typically played by one person at a time and do not require the involvement of casino employees. Table games involve a certain amount of skill or strategy, and are conducted by casino employees known as dealers or croupiers. Random number games are based on the selection of numbers from a computerized random number generator.

Casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers to calculate the house edges and variance for their various games. This information allows them to discover any statistical deviations from expected results. In addition, some casinos use technology to monitor the exact amount of money wagered on each game, minute by minute, and to immediately notify security when any anomalies occur. This is a key element of their risk management strategy. It is not uncommon for large bettors to be escorted from the premises by security after they make excessive bets.