A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is a place where people can gamble. Modern casinos add a variety of extra features and amenities to attract and entertain gamblers, including restaurants, free drinks, stage shows, and dramatic scenery. But they would not exist without the games of chance that make them profitable, such as slots, keno, baccarat, and blackjack.

A wide range of games are played at casinos, and some casinos specialize in particular types of games. For example, the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut offers thousands of slot machines and other games. It is one of the largest casinos in the United States. Other casinos offer far more traditional Far Eastern games, such as sic bo (which spread to several American and European casinos in the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow. Some casinos even feature table games such as two-up and banca francesa in Australia, baccarat and trente et quarante in France, and kalooki in Britain.

Something about gambling seems to encourage patrons and staff to cheat and steal, either in collusion or independently. As a result, casinos spend enormous amounts of time and money on security. In addition, casinos have a legal obligation to pay winnings promptly to anyone who is legally entitled to them.