A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. Casinos often offer a wide variety of entertainment to attract patrons, from stage shows to gourmet restaurants. Some casinos are more lavish than others, but all have the same basic layout and operations. There have been many attempts to improve upon the basic casino concept, from adding more luxurious elements to creating more themed casinos.

Gambling games are generally categorized into three groups: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Gaming machines, such as slot machines, are played by one person at a time and do not require the involvement of casino employees. Table games, such as blackjack and craps, involve one or more players competing against the casino house and are conducted by casino employees known as croupiers or dealers. Random number games, such as roulette and baccarat, are based on the selection of random numbers by computerized systems or other means.

Although the casino business relies heavily on the idea of chance, there is a great deal of planning and work that goes into making sure that a casino operates at a profit. This is why casinos are so expensive to operate: they need to pay out winnings and cover operating expenses. In addition, comps (free goods and services) are given to regular patrons who spend a large amount of money, such as free hotel rooms and dinners, tickets to shows and even limo service or airline tickets.