A casino, or a gambling establishment, is a place where people play games of chance for money or other goods. Some casinos feature a mix of casino games, such as roulette, poker, blackjack, and slot machines. Others have a large focus on one game, such as baccarat or craps. In addition to gambling, many casinos also offer restaurants, bars, theaters, spas, and other forms of entertainment. Casinos can be located in massive resorts, standalone buildings, or on boats and barges that sail on rivers and lakes. In the United States, casinos are generally operated by private corporations, investment groups, or Native American tribes.

Casinos earn billions of dollars each year from the gamblers who visit them. This revenue is split between the casinos and the state, local, or tribal governments that operate them. In addition, the casinos contribute to their host communities by attracting tourists and increasing real estate values. But critics argue that the high cost of treating problem gambling and lost productivity from addicted workers outweigh any economic benefits a casino may bring.

Casino security is a major industry, with elaborate systems that can monitor all the casino activities at once and detect any suspicious behavior. For example, the way a dealer shuffles cards or places bets on a table follows certain patterns that are easily recognizable by security staff. Many casinos use bright colors and gaudy designs to stimulate the senses and distract players from thinking about the odds of winning or losing.