A casino (also known as a gambling house or a gaming hall) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. Some casinos host live entertainment events such as stand-up comedy, concerts and sports games. In some countries, the term casino may also refer to a large private building used for gambling.

Casinos are a source of revenue for many cities and states. They often feature a wide variety of gaming tables and machines, as well as elaborate architecture. They can include fountains, statues, and replicas of famous landmarks. Many casinos are owned by individuals or corporations that have a stake in the profits generated by the establishments. The owners of casinos invest in a large amount of money and time to maintain a high level of customer service and security.

Given the large amounts of currency handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, in collusion or independently; therefore most casinos have stringent security measures in place. These usually involve several cameras located throughout the facility and a team of security personnel. In addition, the routines and patterns of various casino games follow certain expectations; security personnel can spot deviations from these expected behaviors more easily.

Lastly, some casinos reward players who spend significant amounts of money with comps, or free goods and services. These can include hotel rooms, meals, tickets to shows or even airline flights if the player is a big enough spender. These benefits are offered to attract and retain customers, who are otherwise unlikely to gamble at a casino without these incentives.