A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. These casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some states have legalized casinos, while others prohibit them or limit their size. Casinos may also be known as gaming houses or gambling dens. In the United States, the term casino most commonly refers to a large building that houses a variety of gambling activities.
In terms of total floor space, the biggest casino in the world is Casino Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal. It covers nearly 165,000 square feet, offering guests plenty of opportunity to try their hand at the many available games. The casino is also home to an array of restaurants, bars, and even a three-ring rotating stage for live performances.
While most casino games provide a predictable long-term advantage to the house, some have a skill element, which can give players a chance for a short-term profit. Those who possess sufficient skills to eliminate the house edge are known as advantage players.
Because of the high volumes of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently; for this reason, most casinos employ security measures. These measures usually include a combination of cameras and rules of conduct. In addition, some casinos hire mathematicians and computer programmers to analyze their gaming data. These individuals are known as gaming mathematicians or gaming analysts.