A casino is a place where people play games of chance and gamble. The term casino originally referred to an Italian gathering place for music and dancing, but the modern sense of the word evolved over time. In the United States, the term is most associated with Las Vegas, but there are also casinos in other cities, and even some in rural areas. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, was one of the first to offer casino gaming in 1863, drawing royalty and aristocracy from Europe.

The casino industry pulls in billions of dollars each year, providing profit for the businesses, investors, and Native American tribes that own and operate them. The casinos themselves make money by charging a percentage of bets to players, called the vig or rake. They may also earn revenue from food, beverages, and gambling-related activities.

Most casinos feature slot machines and a variety of table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and poker. Some casinos specialize in certain games, such as sic bo (which originated in Asia), fan-tan, and pai gow poker.

Casinos have security measures in place to prevent cheating and theft. The most obvious is the use of surveillance cameras. Employees are trained to spot suspicious behavior and betting patterns, such as palming or marking cards. Security personnel also watch over table games, keeping an eye out for players attempting to cheat by altering their chips or the rules of the game.