Whether you’re just visiting or are a regular, the casino is an exciting place. The lights, the sounds and the people all add to its attraction. But what exactly goes on inside those walls? What does a casino really do for its customers?

A casino offers gamblers the opportunity to place bets on games of chance or skill. Most casinos offer a variety of games, but some are more popular than others. Slot machines, for example, are the favorite of half of all casino gamblers, while card games like poker and blackjack draw only 30%. Other casino games such as keno, bingo and sports/racing betting receive far less attention.

In addition to gambling, casinos must also manage food and entertainment. To encourage gamblers to spend more, they often give players “comps” (complimentary goods or services). These can include free hotel rooms, dinners, tickets to shows and even limo service and airline tickets. The perks are awarded to players based on how much money they spend and how long they play at the casino.

Casinos must also make sure that their gambling operations are legitimate. To do so, they must ensure that players are of legal age and take steps to prevent fraud and other illegal activity. This involves using cameras, security monitors and other equipment to watch for anything suspicious. Casinos also use paper shredders and protective document boxes to keep customer records secure. They also have to be able to quickly count and bundle large sums of cash and check that all the money is present.