A casino is an establishment where people can gamble and play games of chance. They can also be combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and retail shops, or stand alone as a tourist attraction. In some countries casinos are also called gaming houses, and in others they are simply called a gambling establishment.

There are several different types of casino games, and each has its own rules, strategy, history and popularity. Some are based on skill, while others are pure luck. Some are designed for high-stakes gamblers, while others are aimed at casual players.

While the modern casino is often like an indoor amusement park, the vast majority of its profits come from gambling. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps and other games of chance are the source of the billions of dollars that casino owners rake in every year. Despite this, casinos are often criticized for the way they make money, the high percentage of addicts and the negative impact on local real estate prices.

The most obvious way that a casino makes money is through its built in house advantage, which can be quite small – lower than two percent for some games – but adds up over millions of bets. This money is enough to pay for the lighted fountains, elaborate hotels and towering replicas of famous landmarks that you see when you visit a casino. Casinos also offer free spectacular shows, meals and hotel rooms for their biggest bettors and reduced-fare transportation and airline tickets to frequent players.