A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. It may also be combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions. The term is a French word, derived from the Latin cazino. Other English words based on the same root are gambling house and gaming table.

A modern casino focuses heavily on security and responsible gambling tools. It should have tools for setting deposit, session and wager limits as well as the option to self-exclude from playing for real money. Top casinos also display their licensing information, which proves that they are serious and legal operators who align with the relevant laws and regulations.

Casinos are a major part of the economy of Nevada and other locations that legalize gambling. They draw large crowds of tourists and provide jobs. Some casinos specialize in specific forms of gambling such as slot machines or baccarat, and others offer live entertainment like stand-up comedy.

In the United States, casino gambling is illegal in most other places, so it thrives in Nevada and other states where it is legal. Its popularity has led to a proliferation of gaming establishments. Some of them have earned a reputation for being glamorous and decadent temples to the thrill of chance.

Despite their opulent decor, most casinos are not actually fair to patrons. Each game has a mathematical edge that the casino must recoup. To make up for this, many casinos offer big bettors extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment and elegant living quarters.