A casino is an establishment for gambling. Often, casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and/or other tourist attractions. Many casinos use advanced technology to monitor activities and patrons. Security cameras, for example, are widely used to ensure that patrons do not cheat or steal. Roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviations from their expected values; and betting chips are fitted with microcircuitry that enables the casino to know exactly how much is being wagered minute by minute.

Some casinos are also renowned for their luxurious amenities. For example, the Bellagio in Las Vegas features a branch of New York’s upscale Le Cirque restaurant and Hermes and Chanel boutiques. Even lesser-known casinos are known for perks like free spectacular entertainment, luxury accommodations and transportation for high rollers (although that last perk is not always available in Europe because of gaming laws).

But no casino would exist without games of chance—the machines that run the slot machines, roulette, baccarat, craps, blackjack and video poker bring in billions in profits each year. That’s enough to pay for lavish hotels, lighted fountains, shopping centers and elaborate themes. But, the truth is, casinos are largely about gambling and nothing else.