A casino is a place where people play games of chance and gamble. Often the games have an element of skill, such as poker, blackjack and video poker. A casino also can have a wide range of amenities, such as restaurants, hotels and live entertainment. In some countries, casinos are licensed to sell alcohol and/or tobacco products.

The casino industry is very competitive. In order to attract customers, casinos must offer a variety of promotions and bonuses, including comps (free goods and services). The amount of money that a player bets determines how much he or she earns from the casino. The casino profits by taking a small percentage of each bet. This is called the house edge, and it varies from game to game. The house edge is lower in games with a higher degree of skill, such as blackjack and baccarat, than in games of pure chance, such as roulette or keno.

Casinos are heavily regulated in many jurisdictions. In addition, the casino business has a significant impact on employment and housing markets in the regions around them.

In the United States, there are over 200 casinos. The largest and best-known are located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, casinos can be found in almost every state and many cities. Most casinos are geared toward high rollers, who spend more than the average gambler and are rewarded with free rooms, meals and other services.