A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. The casinos feature a variety of gaming options, such as slot machines and table games. Some also offer live entertainment such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports events. In addition to these, some casinos specialize in particular types of gambling such as poker or baccarat.

A casino may be staffed by a combination of full- and part-time employees. Some full-time employees are called floor managers and oversee multiple areas or shifts. In addition to these employees, many casinos employ independent contractors to handle specific responsibilities such as dealing cards or cleaning the floors.

Because a casino’s revenue depends on the number of visitors it attracts, it must constantly strive to ensure that its facilities and services are attractive to potential customers. As such, some casinos invest heavily in promotions and advertising. They also work to keep their prices as low as possible in order to compete with other entertainment venues.

Because of the large amount of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal from each other or the establishment itself. For this reason, most casinos employ security measures to prevent such activities. These usually include cameras located throughout the casino and a specialized security department that patrols the facility. In addition, some casinos hire independent contractors to perform security duties.