Casino (pronounced “shan-oh”) is a gambling establishment with tables and slot machines, where players wager money or other items of value on the outcome of games of chance or skill. Most casino games have mathematically determined odds that give the house an advantage, referred to as the house edge. The casino makes money by raking in winnings from losing players and taking fees, such as the vig or croupier’s cut, from games that involve player-versus-player competition, like poker and video poker.
The term is also used to refer to the underlying computer system that runs a casino’s gaming software. Many casinos employ mathematicians and computer programmers to analyze and design the games they offer. These experts are known as casino game analysts and game theorists.
Most people probably imagine a casino as a fun place to spend a Saturday night, with twinkly lights, noisy slots and opulent table games. But what really happens inside a casino is more complex than just playing games for money. What is it that makes supposedly rational people—people who work hard and make sound financial decisions on a daily basis—throw hundreds or even thousands of dollars away on the roll of the dice or spin of the wheel? And why does the experience feel so satisfying, even though the house always wins?