A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming room, is an establishment for conducting gambling. The casino industry is a major source of income for many nations and governments. Casinos are typically built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping and other tourist attractions. In the United States, casinos are primarily located in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Reno and on Indian reservations.

Gambling in some form is believed to have existed in nearly every society throughout history. Modern casinos are designed to be exciting and attractive places for people to play games of chance and skill. The games usually include card, dice and slot machines. The casino also provides entertainment through live performances by singers and actors. Casinos are often heavily guarded and have extensive security systems.

Most casinos have rules that prohibit minors from entering the facility, and most states regulate the types of games offered. In addition, most casinos have rules requiring patrons to show identification before placing bets or winnings. Casinos may also prohibit players from playing the same game on consecutive occasions. Some casinos are run by organized crime groups and have the reputation of being seedy, sleazy places.

Most real money casinos take responsible gambling seriously and will provide tools for players to set deposit, session, wager and loss limits and self-exclude from the site. It is always good practice to look for casinos that display their licensing information prominently and have a customer support team that is responsive.