A casino is a gambling establishment where patrons place bets on various games of chance, in some cases with an element of skill. Craps, blackjack, roulette and baccarat are just a few of the many popular casino games that generate billions in profits for the owners of these establishments each year. The modern casino has evolved into a kind of indoor amusement park, with musical shows, lighted fountains and elaborate themes competing for attention alongside the slot machines and tables. But even with the flashing lights, shopping centers and lavish hotels, casinos would not exist without games of chance.

There are two primary ways that casinos make money: by charging players a fee to play their games, and by collecting a percentage of the bets made on those games. The latter practice is known as raking and it provides the majority of the profits for casinos that offer table games such as poker, craps, blackjack, baccarat and keno.

Casinos also collect revenues by giving players complimentary items or “comps.” These are often based on the amount of time spent at the casino, the size of the bets placed and the level of skill demonstrated by the player. Those who spend the most money on casino games are considered “high rollers.” In order to keep them happy, casinos will give them free hotel rooms, dinners and tickets to shows in exchange for their business.

The typical casino gambler is an older person with above average income who is a recreational gambler. As of 2008, 24% of American adults had visited a casino in the previous year. This figure is up from 20% in 1989, according to the Roper Reports GfK NOP and U.S. Gaming Panel surveys.