The thrill of a roll of the dice or the chance to make it big on the roulette table is one that can’t be matched. And when it’s set against the glamorous backdrop of a top casino, that feeling is even stronger.

There are a few things to consider before you book your next gambling trip. First, you should know that there are a lot of casinos out there and not all of them are created equal.

Some states have a larger number of land-based casinos than others. Use the map below to zoom in on your location and find out what’s near you.

Most casino games are based on chance or skill (although poker is more of the latter). The house always has an advantage over the players, a factor known as the house edge. This is true whether the game is played in person or online. In some games, the house takes a commission from winning bets; this is called rake.

Large amounts of money are handled inside casinos and the possibility of being bribed or tricked into losing is high. For these reasons, casinos invest a lot of time and effort into security. Cameras located throughout the casino and elaborate surveillance systems are some of the most common measures. In addition, many casinos offer complimentary goods or services to their loyal customers, known as comps. These can include free hotel rooms, dinners and tickets to shows.