A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming room, is a building or room in which gambling games are played. Some casinos are stand-alone buildings, while others are part of hotels, resorts, or cruise ships. In addition to gambling, casinos often offer other entertainment such as shows and concerts. The term is derived from the Latin word cazino, meaning “to play.”

The most famous casino in the world is probably located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other large casinos are found in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Detroit, Michigan; and other cities and states that have legalized casino gambling. In addition, there are many Native American casinos in the United States.

Most casinos are built in attractive locations to attract gamblers, and they offer a variety of gaming activities. The games played in a casino are based largely on chance, with the exception of those that involve skill, such as poker and some sports betting. The house always has a mathematical edge over the players, and this is referred to as the house edge. Casinos also give away complimentary items to patrons, called comps, to encourage them to spend more money.

In the United States, casinos are usually located in urban areas and are regulated by state laws. Casinos may be owned and operated by private individuals, corporations, or charitable organizations. In some cases, casino operations are outsourced to companies specializing in providing these services. Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. To protect against these potential dangers, casinos have elaborate security systems, including cameras that can monitor the entire casino floor at once.