As the world’s disposable income grows and gambling becomes more accepted as a form of entertainment, casinos are opening up everywhere. From the grandiose Bellagio in Las Vegas to the illegal pai gow parlors of New York City’s Chinatown, there’s no shortage of places to gamble. These days, most casinos offer a host of luxuries to attract players such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. But the basic function of a casino is unchanged.

The casinos’ built in advantage is called the house edge. The house edge in a specific game can be very small, or it can be higher than the player’s expectation of winning, but the fact is that the casino will win the game in the long run, whatever the particular odds are. This is because, unlike a charitable organization that gives away money, the casino is a business and must make a profit.

Many casinos employ security measures to prevent cheating. For example, some have catwalks above the floor that allow surveillance personnel to look down through one-way glass on activities at table games and slot machines. In addition, many have pit bosses and table managers who watch over players to spot potential cheating, such as palming cards or marking dice. Many also give “comps” to their biggest spenders. These can include everything from free rooms and meals to show tickets and even airline flights. These perks are designed to increase a player’s lifetime value to the casino and are a big reason why some people play for high stakes.