A Casino (also known as a gambling house or gaming room) is an establishment that offers a variety of gambling activities. These activities may include slot machines, roulette, craps, baccarat, and card games such as blackjack. Some casinos also offer live entertainment, restaurants and other amenities for the enjoyment of their patrons.

A casino is usually located in a large building or hall and is furnished with gaming tables, slot machines, and other devices for the purpose of gambling. Some casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, or other tourist attractions; others stand alone. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state law and must comply with minimum safety standards. Casinos are also monitored for integrity by government agencies.

Casinos make money by charging a percentage of all bets made on their games, a fee called the house edge. This advantage can be small, but over time it adds up and gives the casino a virtual assurance of gross profit. This is why many high-stakes gamblers are offered extravagant inducements, such as free spectacular shows and transportation, elegant living quarters, and reduced-fare hotel rooms.

To create a gambling atmosphere, casinos often use bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings that stimulate and cheer players. In addition, windows are rarely used and clocks are absent from the walls, because they can remind players how much time has passed while they are losing their hard-earned money. This way, the casinos can keep their patrons in a constant state of denial about how much they are spending and how long they have been gambling.