A casino, also known as a gaming house or gambling house, is an establishment where people can play various games of chance. It offers a variety of entertainment and is a popular form of recreation in many countries. It is sometimes confused with a racetrack or an amusement park, but the main attraction at casinos is gambling and its related activities. The most well-known casino is in Las Vegas, Nevada, which has been popularized by Hollywood films such as Ocean’s 11.

Casinos are usually built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and other attractions. They may offer free drinks, stage shows, and other perks to attract visitors. In the United States, some states regulate the number of casinos while others limit their growth or prohibit them entirely.

Because of the large amount of money handled within a casino, security is a key issue. Casinos have a variety of security measures, from cameras to trained personnel. The cameras provide a wide-angle view of each table and can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons by security workers in a separate room filled with banks of security monitors. Dealers are heavily trained to spot blatant cheating techniques such as palming, marking cards, and changing dice. In games with an element of skill, such as blackjack and poker, the casino earns a profit by taking a commission called the rake. In other games, such as roulette and craps, the house has a mathematical advantage.