A casino, also known as a gambling hall or a gaming room, is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. It includes a variety of card games and table games such as poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette and craps. Many casinos also feature stage shows and dramatic scenery. The term casino may refer to a specific building or an entire complex that houses several such rooms. In modern usage, the word casino is often used as a generic name for any place that offers gambling.

While gambling has been a part of human society throughout history, modern casinos have become enormous businesses. They are designed to maximize profits by offering a wide range of gambling activities to a large audience. In the United States, most casinos are located in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, though some can be found in Chicago and on American Indian reservations.

The exact origin of gambling is unknown, but it is believed that it evolved from simple card games and dice games. The first modern casinos appeared in the United States in the late nineteenth century and quickly spread to other parts of the world. Many casinos offer comps (free goods or services) to frequent players, such as free hotel rooms, meals and tickets to shows.

Because so much money changes hands in a casino, security is a major concern. Cameras are usually prominently displayed and personnel closely monitor patrons for signs of cheating or stealing. In addition, tables are assigned a pit boss or manager who watches over the games and looks for betting patterns that might indicate cheating.