A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It is also known as a gaming house or a gambling hall. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos also host live entertainment events such as stand-up comedy and concerts. Some casinos are owned and operated by government-owned or tribal organizations, while others are privately owned and run.

Various laws govern the operation of casinos, including state and federal regulations. Some states restrict the type of games offered or their minimum and maximum bets. In addition, some regulate the number of times a player may gamble in a given period of time. Some casinos have been the subject of controversy over their social impact, with some being accused of encouraging gambling addiction.

Many casinos have security measures in place to prevent cheating and stealing. These can include cameras, electronic systems that record the amount of money wagered minute by minute, and roulette wheels that are monitored electronically for statistical deviations from their expected results. Some casinos have rules that prohibit players from talking to other players while playing card games, and some even require players to keep their hands visible at all times.

Aside from slot machines, most American casinos offer a variety of table games such as blackjack, craps, and poker. In addition, some feature traditional Far Eastern games such as sic bo (which has become popular in European and American casinos in the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow.