A casino is a facility where people gamble by playing games of chance or skill. The games often involve betting against the house, with the house taking a commission from the winnings, known as a “house edge”. Some casinos have a skill element, and players who know enough to eliminate the house advantage are referred to as advantage players. Casinos are often located in places with high income levels, and they can be a significant source of revenue for local governments.

Many casinos use advanced technology to control cheating and theft by patrons and employees. For example, modern slot machines are wired to a central system that records the amounts wagered minute by minute and warns the operator of any suspicious activity; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly so that any statistical deviation from expected results can be quickly discovered. Some casinos have catwalks over the gaming floor that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down on games through one-way glass.

Some casinos are built in cities or regions that are well known for gambling, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Others are designed to evoke a particular country or region, such as Monte Carlo in Monaco, and still others are themed after popular culture, such as the Excalibur at Disneyland Resort in California. The casino industry is regulated in most countries, with national and state laws controlling the type of games offered and the minimum age for gambling.