A casino, also called a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is an establishment that allows patrons to wager money on games of chance. The games may involve combinations of chance and skill, such as blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and poker. The games are often conducted by a dealer or croupier, who takes bets from players and operates the game equipment. Some casinos host poker tournaments and other gaming activities in addition to traditional table games.

The casino industry has become a major economic force in many countries around the world and is regulated at a local level. Casinos are frequently combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other attractions. In some countries, casinos are operated by governments or provincial/municipal authorities.

Casinos are designed to lure gamblers into a gambling hall with bright lights and cheery music and to keep them there by offering drinks, food, shows, and other entertainment. They are usually located in areas with high population density, and their entrances are often disguised to look like shops or other public buildings. They are also heavily marketed to attract tourists.

Something about the casino environment seems to encourage people to cheat or try to scam their way into winning a jackpot, which explains why so much time and effort is spent on security in these places. In some cases, the gambling houses are so secure that even employees don’t have access to the gaming floor. In other cases, casinos are built in remote locations or on boats and barges that travel the waterways.