When people think of casino, they often picture one of the megaresorts in Las Vegas — giant hotels and entertainment complexes that offer slot machines, table games, and other forms of gambling. But in fact, the term casino encompasses much more than the glitzy buildings and neon lights that are so prevalent on the Strip.

In addition to allowing patrons to gamble with cash or tokens that represent cash, casinos offer other social activities. They often have restaurants that are open to nongamblers, bars where gamblers can order drinks and socialize, and other events that make gambling a part of a larger cultural experience.

A casino’s staff must ensure the security of its guests and assets. They usually have a physical security force that patrols the facility, and a specialized surveillance department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, or eye in the sky. These specialized departments work closely with each other to prevent crime and keep patrons safe.

Like other businesses in a capitalist society, a casino’s main goal is to make money. Successful ones rake in billions of dollars for the companies, investors, and Native American tribes that own them, as well as for state and local governments that levy taxes and fees on them. To maximize profits, a casino must know the house edge and variance for every game it offers. This information is crucial to a casino’s financial health, and it is typically determined by gaming mathematicians and computer programmers.