A casino or gambling house is a place for certain types of gambling. Most casinos are located in cities or towns and are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are also known for their live entertainment, such as stage shows and musical performances.

In a casino, patrons gamble by playing games of chance. Some casinos offer a variety of games, including roulette, blackjack, and poker. Most casino games have mathematically determined odds that give the house a long-term advantage over players, but some have an element of skill. Players who are able to eliminate the house’s expected value gain a positive return on their investment and are known as advantage players. The house edge in a casino game is sometimes called the vig or vigorish.

Casinos are a major source of revenue in many countries, especially in the United States, Romania, and the Czech Republic. The American Gaming Association estimates that in 2009, casinos earned $261 billion from legal gambling.

With opulent furnishings and overflowing bars, these temples of temptation elevate a flutter to an art form. Romanticized in film and literature with images of high-stakes betting tables surrounded by a select group in tuxedos, casinos remain a global magnet for gamblers and those intrigued by the idea of trying their hand at a spot of luck.