A casino, or casin, is a place where people gamble using cash or other paper tickets with a preprinted design, called chips. The games are primarily of chance, although some have an element of skill. The chips are usually redeemed for cash after the player has completed a required number of games. Some casinos offer only table games, while others have a combination of table and slot machines.

The precise origin of gambling is not known, but it has been widespread throughout history, occurring in nearly every culture and social class. Throughout the world, there are many popular casino games, including roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker. In some places, casino games are also regulated by law.

Casinos are designed to attract customers and increase their spending, offering high-end amenities such as spas, designer stores, gourmet restaurants, and top-billed entertainment shows. The largest casinos in the world are palatial and luxurious, with many offerings beyond the usual gambling games, such as awe-inspiring architecture, opulent suites, and exclusive services like personal concierges and chauffeured limousines.

Most casinos have security measures in place to protect their patrons and staff from cheating or theft. These often include a physical security force and specialized surveillance departments. Modern casinos also make heavy use of technology to oversee their gaming tables. For example, in some cases, betting chips have microcircuitry that enables them to be tracked minute-by-minute; the results of roulette wheels are monitored electronically to discover any statistical deviations from expected values; and even card games like poker that do not pit players against the house are subject to an overhead commission, known as the rake.