A casino is a gambling establishment where people can play games of chance and skill. The games are usually played on tables or in slot machines. Some casinos also have restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues. Most countries have legalized casinos or allow them in some form. Casinos can be large resorts or small card rooms. They can also be found on cruise ships and in some states have racinos, which combine casino-type games with horse racing.

The most common casino games are roulette, blackjack, and poker. Most of these games have a high degree of luck, but some have an element of skill. In poker, the house takes a percentage of the bets made by players, called the rake. In other casino games, such as craps, the house has a mathematical advantage over players.

Casinos earn billions of dollars each year for the companies, investors, and native American tribes that own them. They also pay taxes and fees to state and local governments. Casinos use advanced technology to control the games. For example, betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that allows casinos to monitor exact amounts wagered minute by minute. Roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviations that might indicate cheating.

The casino industry is regulated worldwide. In the United States, most states have passed laws regulating the types of games offered and the minimum age for casino patrons. In addition, most states have banned the sale of cigarettes on casino floors and limit the amount of time players can spend in casinos.