A casino, also known as a gambling establishment or a gaming hall, is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. Casinos are most often located in cities with large populations of people who enjoy gambling. Some casinos are operated by government-sanctioned gaming agencies, while others are private enterprises. In some cases, casinos are built on Native American reservations.

Gambling in casinos involves playing a variety of casino games, including table games such as blackjack and roulette, and electronic machines such as video poker. Most casino games have a house edge, which is the casino’s profit margin over the player’s bets. In some games, such as baccarat and craps, the house advantage is higher than in other games. Casinos may offer different bonuses and rewards to attract players, such as free drinks or food.

In addition to gambling, many casinos feature upscale restaurants and hotels. Some are even complete resorts, offering guests a complete vacation experience. In the United States, there are approximately 51 million people over age 21 who visit casinos annually. This number includes visitors who are traveling with friends, family members, or on business.

Because of the huge amounts of money that are handled within a casino, staff and patrons may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. To prevent this, casinos have security measures in place. These include video surveillance, which is commonly used, and chip tracking, which allows casinos to monitor the amount of money wagered on a game minute by minute.