A casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. Gambling in some form has been a part of human culture for thousands of years, and casinos have become popular in many countries around the world. They are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other entertainment venues.

Some casinos specialize in particular games, such as blackjack or craps. Others offer a wider range of games. The games played in a casino are governed by rules and regulations set by the gaming authority. The house always has an advantage over the players, and this advantage is called the house edge. The casino makes its profit by charging a commission on winning bets or by taking a percentage of losing bets.

Most modern casinos have security forces tasked with monitoring the casino and its patrons. They use cameras and other surveillance technology to spot suspicious activity. Casino employees are also trained to spot blatant cheating such as palming, marking or switching cards and dice. Each table game has a higher-up supervisor who monitors the tables from a higher vantage point and watches for betting patterns that may indicate cheating.

Casinos have been a popular source of entertainment for millions of people since they first appeared in the 1800s. While some critics argue that the economic impact of a casino is negative, most research indicates that casinos bring in more revenue than they cost to operate. However, studies suggest that gambling addiction can offset any positive effects on local economies.