A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and skill. Its employees, known as croupiers or dealers, are trained to assist gamblers. Most casinos have a wide range of tables for card games, dice and slots. Many offer a variety of food and drink. A casino can also be a place for live entertainment, including musical performances or stand-up comedy.

Gambling is a popular pastime worldwide, and casinos attract millions of people each year. The largest casinos are often designed with impressive architecture and interior decor, and they can include hotels, restaurants, non-gambling game rooms and other features to appeal to a broad range of visitors. Some have a specific theme, such as an Egyptian-themed hotel or a Vegas-style casino with giant fountains and replicas of famous landmarks.

The precise origin of casino gambling is unclear, but it has been present in nearly every society throughout history. The first legal casinos were built in Europe during the 19th century. In the United States, legal casino gambling was introduced in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and then spread to other cities and on American Indian reservations, which are exempt from state anti-gambling laws.

Casinos earn a significant portion of their income from slot machines, which are the most popular casino games. A player puts in money, pulls a lever or pushes a button and waits for a predetermined pattern to appear on the reels (real physical or video). A player can then win a varying amount of money according to the pattern.