A casino is a building or room in which gambling takes place. In the United States, the term is usually applied to establishments that offer table wagering games like blackjack and poker, as well as slot machines. Many casinos also have entertainment features such as restaurants and bars. These facilities are characterized by a high-energy atmosphere and lighting designed to encourage excitement and a sense of glitz and glamour. Casinos are operated by private individuals, corporations, investors, or Native American tribes and generate billions of dollars in revenue each year. They are located in cities, states, and countries around the world. The casino industry is regulated by government agencies in most jurisdictions.

The most significant source of casino revenue is the amount wagered by gamblers. Some casinos have diversified their income streams by adding hotel and other leisure amenities, such as swimming pools. Others focus on attracting visitors with celebrity-endorsed events and attractions. A notable example is Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which built its reputation by hosting such legendary entertainers as Frank Sinatra at the Circus Maximus Showroom in the 1960s and 1970s.

Most modern casinos rely on advanced technology to oversee their operations and ensure fair play. For example, chip tracking systems record the exact amounts wagered minute by minute on each table, and automated roulette wheels are regularly inspected for statistical deviations. Those technologies and others help to reduce the house edge in games of chance, which is a key element in attracting and keeping customers.