A casino, also known as a gambling hall or a gaming room, is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. Some casinos are purely recreational while others are highly speculative and involve large sums of money. Some casinos are regulated and licensed by state or local governments. Others are unregulated. Regardless of their regulatory status, most casinos operate on a profit-making basis and are designed to appeal mainly to those with high disposable incomes.

Casinos often feature a variety of table and slot games. Some have a skill element and are characterized by an inherent long-term disadvantage to the house (also called the house edge) that can be overcome by players using basic strategy. Players who possess the skills necessary to eliminate this disadvantage are referred to as advantage players.

Table games are conducted by dealers and include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. Many Asian casinos also offer traditional Far Eastern games, such as sic bo and fan-tan.

In the United States, there are approximately 1,000 commercial casinos. Most are located in Las Vegas, although other cities such as Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Chicago have significant casino activity. Casinos are legal in 40 states, and the number continues to increase as more states liberalize their gambling laws.

The modern casino is often characterized by an upscale image, and it has become one of the world’s major tourist attractions. In addition to gambling, many have restaurants and bars. Some even have a theater or show to provide entertainment for guests. In addition, modern casinos employ specialized security personnel. Some have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look down through one-way glass on the activities at table and slot machines.