A casino is a gambling establishment that offers the excitement of playing games of chance for money or prizes. It may also include dining, entertainment and other amenities. Some casinos are owned by large corporations, while others are operated by government entities or private individuals. The term casino can also refer to a specific game, such as poker or craps, or to an entire building or complex that houses multiple games.

In the United States, there are over 1,000 casinos. Some are located in cities with a high concentration of tourists, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The rest are located in smaller towns and rural areas. In many cases, the casino is the primary economic activity of the town or city.

Casinos make their money mainly from the gambling they offer, with food and beverage sales providing a secondary source. The majority of casino profits are derived from table games, such as blackjack and roulette, and from video poker and other electronic games that require skill. Each game has a mathematically determined house advantage that ensures the casino will earn a profit over time.

In addition to table games, a typical casino will have one or more rooms dedicated to card games such as poker, baccarat and pai gow. Slot machines are another popular casino game, as are craps and other dice games. Some casinos also feature race and sports betting. Modern casinos have extensive security measures to prevent cheating and stealing by both patrons and employees. These measures typically involve cameras and security personnel.