A casino is a gambling establishment that offers chances to win money or prizes through games of chance and in some cases, skill. Some of the games that can be played at a casino include slot machines, poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette and craps. Many of these games have a fixed house edge, which is the advantage that the casino has over the player. The house edge is usually lower than two percent, but the millions of bets placed at casinos each year can add up to a significant amount of money.

Because of the large amounts of money that are handled inside casinos, it is possible for patrons and employees to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. As a result, casinos spend a lot of time and money on security measures. The most basic measure is surveillance cameras. Casinos also have security personnel who patrol the floor and monitor the games. Pit bosses and table managers watch over the table games with a more broader view, looking for blatant cheating like palming or marking cards.

Some critics claim that casinos do not bring economic benefits to the communities they operate in. They argue that casino revenue is a shift in spending from other local entertainment, and that the cost of treating problem gambling and lost productivity from people who are addicted to gambling offset any economic gains that casinos may generate. However, some communities benefit from the presence of a casino by increasing tourism and attracting new residents.