A casino is an establishment for gambling. It may also be referred to as a gaming house or a gambling hall. Casinos are found in many places including Las Vegas, Nevada, and Macau in China. They are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other entertainment venues. Some casinos are known for hosting live entertainment events such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports.

Casino games typically provide a predictable long-term advantage to the house and offer players the chance to make short-term gains that can be substantial. In addition, some casinos feature games that require skill, in which the decisions made by players can have an impact on the outcome of a game. These games are sometimes referred to as advantage games.

The majority of casinos employ multiple security measures to prevent cheating and other crimes. These include cameras, secure entrances, and specially trained staff to monitor play. Some casinos also have catwalks in the ceiling, where surveillance personnel can look down directly on the slot machines and table games through one-way glass. Casinos use design elements and psychology tricks to encourage people to spend more money and keep coming back, even though they will lose in the long run. Learn more about how casinos lure you into spending your money here.