A casino, or gambling house, is an establishment where a variety of games of chance are played. Most casinos also offer food and drink. In the United States, most states have legalized some form of gambling, and many casinos are built in or near hotels, restaurants, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also designed with a theme, such as an Egyptian pyramid, a giant tower or an replica of a famous landmark. Casinos make money by charging a small percentage of each bet to players. This advantage can be very small, lower than two percent, but it adds up over the millions of bets placed. Other revenue streams include ticket sales, hotel rooms and retail shops.

Casinos are also known for their entertainment offerings, including stage shows and dramatic scenery. In addition, some casinos have a large selection of electronic and video games that are available to players.

Some casinos specialize in specific gambling games, such as slot machines or baccarat. Other popular casino games are blackjack and its variants, poker and trente et quarante (a French card game). The precise origin of gambling is unknown. It is believed that it has been present in almost all societies throughout history.

Due to the large amounts of cash handled within a casino, it is common for people to try to cheat or steal from patrons and staff. To prevent this, casinos employ a number of security measures. They may use cameras to monitor patrons and their activities, for example. They may also offer perks to regular players, called comps, such as free hotel rooms, meals and show tickets.