A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and is regulated by law. It’s not uncommon for casinos to offer a wide array of games, from the classics like roulette and blackjack to newer games that draw in crowds.

Most casinos have strict rules about cheating, stealing and other forms of collusion to keep their patrons safe. They also spend a lot of money on security staff. Dealers keep an eye on their own game and are quick to spot blatant palming or marking, and pit bosses and table managers have a wider view of the action and can see betting patterns that may indicate collusion.

Despite their seamy reputation, casinos are not the shady operations that they once were. During the Prohibition era, mob figures had lots of cash from extortion and other illegal rackets and were willing to take on the risk of running casinos. But federal crackdowns and the risk of losing a gambling license at even the slightest hint of mafia involvement mean that legitimate businesses now control most casinos.

The modern casino looks more like an indoor amusement park than a gambling joint, but it would not exist without the games of chance that bring in billions in profits each year. Read on to learn about how casinos make money, the most popular casino games and how they’re played, what makes some casinos safer than others, and more.