A casino, also known as a gaming establishment or a gambling joint, is a building or room that is equipped for social amusements (specifically gambling) and is licensed to offer such activities. The industry is regulated by law in many jurisdictions. It is a source of employment for many people. In the United States, casinos are primarily located in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

A typical casino offers a variety of games that depend largely on chance, with some requiring a measure of skill. Those that are operated by croupiers and other live dealers are called table games; they include blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker. Those that are machine-based, like slot machines and video poker, are often called electronic games. Casinos employ gaming mathematicians and analysts to calculate the house edge and variance for each game. This information helps managers determine how much to pay for employees, materials, and utilities, as well as how much to set aside in the form of cash reserves.

In addition to offering a stimulating environment, casinos focus on customer service and offer perks designed to attract and reward high-spending patrons. These perks are often referred to as comps. They include free or discounted meals, drinks, hotel rooms, shows, and other amenities. In the twentieth century, many casinos developed frequent-flyer programs in which cardholders earn points that can be exchanged for cash or other items.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat and steal, either in collusion or independently. This is why most casinos have extensive security measures, including surveillance cameras.