A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is a place where people can gamble. Originally, casinos were places that offered music and dancing, but they soon began to include games of chance, such as blackjack, roulette, and poker. Modern casinos often combine gambling with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, and cruise ships. Some states have laws that prohibit gambling, while others regulate it.

In the United States, casinos can be found in many cities and towns. Some are located on American Indian reservations, which are exempt from state anti-gambling statutes. Others are in tourist areas such as Las Vegas, which has become synonymous with casino gambling worldwide. Some are owned by large hotel chains, while others are run by independent operators.

A modern casino has many security measures in place to prevent cheating and other crimes. Employees constantly monitor casino patrons to make sure everything is running as it should. Dealers have a keen eye for blatant cheating such as palming or marking cards, and can usually spot any suspicious betting patterns. Pit bosses and table managers supervise the game tables with a more broad view, watching for any player who seems to be taking advantage of other players or the dealer. Elaborate surveillance systems also allow a high-tech “eye in the sky” view of every table, window and doorway.

While musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels help draw in customers, the main source of profits for casinos are games of chance. Slot machines and table games such as craps, baccarat, and blackjack provide the billions of dollars in earnings that casinos generate each year.