A casino is an establishment for gambling. It may also be called a gambling house, or a kasino. Casinos provide customers with a wide range of games of chance, or skill, and pay out winnings in the form of money or comps. Some casinos are operated by a government, while others are private businesses. In the United States, casino gambling is regulated by state laws. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and other tourist attractions.

While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers draw people to casinos, they would not exist without the games of chance that bring in billions of dollars each year. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat and other games of chance are the foundation of casinos.

Many games have built-in advantages that ensure the house always wins, regardless of how much players wager. This is known as the house edge, and it is a critical factor in determining the odds of a game being won or lost. This advantage is especially important in games with an element of skill, like poker and video poker.

Because large amounts of cash are handled within casinos, both patrons and staff can be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. To protect their profits, casinos employ a variety of security measures. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye in the sky” that lets security workers monitor every table, window and doorway in real time.