A casino is an establishment for various types of gambling activities. The most common are slot machines, table games and random number games. Most casinos also offer food and drinks, and some even have concerts and other entertainment. Some casinos are built as standalone buildings, while others are inside resorts, hotels or cruise ships. In the United States, there are about 1,000 casinos, with the Las Vegas area having the highest concentration of them. Some casinos are operated by Native American tribes, and are regulated under state law.

The casino industry is a major source of employment, especially in areas such as gaming floor management and security. Some casinos also hire mathematically inclined mathematicians and computer programmers to analyze the results of casino games to optimize profits and reduce house edge. These experts are known as gaming mathematicians and analysts.

Generally, casino games involve a mixture of luck and skill. Most games have a predictable long-term advantage for the house, which is called the house edge or vigorish. Players who can eliminate this advantage are referred to as advantage players. In games that require some level of skill, such as blackjack and video poker, the house makes money by taking a commission on each hand played, which is called the rake. In addition, casino customers can sometimes be given complimentary items or comps if they play enough. These extras can add up to a large amount of money, especially if the gambler is betting on multiple games at once.