A casino or kasino (also known as a gaming hall) is an establishment that offers a variety of gambling activities. These facilities are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships, and may offer additional services such as live entertainment.

Modern casinos are generally large and lavish, with an emphasis on customer service and comfort. They feature a wide range of gambling games, including poker, blackjack, and roulette. Some casinos also have a sports book.

Gambling is legal in most jurisdictions around the world, and casinos are a popular form of recreation for many people. The first known casino was the Casino de Monte-Carlo, which opened in 1863 and became a major source of income for the principality of Monaco. In the United States, casino gambling is legal in Nevada and several other states.

The word casino is derived from the Latin cazino, meaning “to toss” or “to risk”. Casinos are places where people gamble on various types of games of chance, in which the house has an edge over the patrons. The expected value of a bet is mathematically determined and can be measured by the casino’s house advantage, which differs for each game offered.

Casinos are largely considered to be entertainment facilities, and many offer high-profile or well-known entertainers as part of their live music or stage shows. Caesars Palace, for example, is renowned for its celebrity residencies and has hosted performers such as Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Sting.