A casino or gambling house is an establishment where people can play games of chance for money. These places often also serve drinks and food and provide other forms of entertainment. They are located in a variety of settings, including resorts, hotels, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions.

A wide range of games may be found at casinos, from slot machines to traditional table games such as blackjack, poker and craps. The most famous casinos are in Las Vegas, although there are some in other cities and countries as well. Caesars Entertainment operates several of the most famous casinos in the United States, including Caesars Palace, Harrah’s and Horseshoe, and is the largest casino company in the world.

Casinos are a major source of revenue for state, local and Native American governments. They draw billions of dollars each year in profits from the gamblers who visit them. They employ a wide range of gimmicks and inducements to get people to wager their hard-earned money. These include free spectacular entertainment, reduced-fare transportation, luxurious living quarters and other perks.

Casinos are not without their problems, though. Something about the very nature of casino gambling encourages cheating and theft, whether collusion between patrons or on the part of individual staff members. Casinos are heavily guarded against such activities by cameras and other technological measures, as well as by rules governing behavior and the use of equipment. Casinos are sometimes associated with crime and vice in popular culture, and have a seamy image.