A casino is a facility where gambling activities take place. Casinos are designed to meet the entertainment needs of gamblers by providing a wide variety of games and world-class amenities. The gambling industry also contributes to local job creation and boosts tourism. However, it is important to remember that gambling is addictive and should be enjoyed responsibly.

In a casino, customers gamble by playing games of chance or skill, in which they compete against the house. Typically, the house has an edge over players; the size of this advantage depends on the game and the rules. Some casinos use a combination of skill and chance; these games are referred to as pari-mutuel. Other casino games have a fixed long-term advantage for the house, such as the vigorish in poker or roulette. Players with sufficient skills to eliminate the house edge are called advantage players.

The most common casino games are slots, table games, and random number games. Gaming machines such as slot machines and pachinko are played by one player at a time and do not require the intervention of casino employees. Table games include roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, which are run by dealers or croupiers. Random number games, such as bingo and lottery-like games, are based on the selection of random numbers by a computerized random-number generator or other mechanical devices. In all of these games, the casino has a mathematical expectancy that ensures it will make a profit. Using mathematical analysis (also called gaming math), casinos determine how much they need in reserves to cover expected losses and fluctuations in revenue.