A casino (also referred to as a gambling establishment) is a facility for gambling, with most offering slot machines, table games and other gaming options. In some jurisdictions, casinos are subject to strict regulation by government agencies to ensure that they operate fairly and responsibly.

In the United States, the largest concentration of casinos is in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, with other major gambling centers including Atlantic City, New Jersey and Chicago. Many casinos are also located on Native American reservations. In addition, a number of cruise ships feature casinos on their itineraries.

Gambling in some form or another has existed throughout history in nearly all cultures. The precise origin is unknown, but it is believed to have been around for thousands of years. Some of the earliest recorded forms of gambling were rummy and pinochle, both of which have been popular for centuries.

The modern era of casino gambling began in the late 20th century, with casinos appearing in the US and Europe following legalization in these areas. Casinos are regulated by state and provincial governments to ensure responsible gaming. They must also provide fair game play, hold a reserve fund to guarantee payouts and protect player data from unauthorized access. They may offer a variety of responsible gambling tools, such as allowing players to set a spending budget and self-exclude from gambling activity. They must also make sure their website is secure by using an SSL encryption certificate.