Casinos, also called gambling houses, are establishments where people can play games of chance for money. There are a variety of different types of games, but the most popular are slot machines and video poker.

Slots are the most popular casino games, and casinos earn a majority of their revenue from them. The machines are simple to use — you put in some money, pull a handle or push a button and wait for the reels to spin. When the right pattern appears, you win a predetermined amount of money.

Blackjack, roulette and craps are other popular casino games. Roulette is a major game in France, where casinos can lower their advantage to less than 1 percent; in the United States most of the larger casinos require an edge no greater than 1.4 percent.

High rollers, or gamblers who spend more than the average person, are a major source of casino profit. They often gamble in private rooms, which are located away from the main casino floor.

Gamblers who spend a lot of money at the casino can qualify for perks, known as “comps.” These include free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows and even limo service and airline tickets. The comps are a way for casinos to reward their top spenders and attract them back over time.

Modern casinos employ a combination of security systems to keep players safe. They have a physical security force to patrol the casino and respond to calls for assistance, as well as a specialized surveillance department that uses elaborate camera systems that watch every table in the casino and change windows and doorways to spot suspicious patrons.