A casino is an establishment that offers gambling. Customers gamble by playing games of chance or skill, such as roulette, craps, baccarat, poker, and slot machines. Most games have mathematically determined odds that give the house a built-in advantage over the players, which is known as the house edge. A small percentage of each bet is taken by the casino as a fee, called the vig or rake. Casinos often offer complimentary items to patrons, called comps, which can include food, rooms, shows, and even limo service and airline tickets.

The casino industry is a major source of revenue for many nations. In addition to the obvious financial benefits, casinos also boost tourism. The large amount of money handled by casinos makes them a target for cheating and theft, both from players and employees. Security measures are therefore a high priority in modern casino design. Most casinos have cameras that monitor all areas of the facility. Some have elaborate surveillance systems that include facial recognition technology.

Historically, casinos have been associated with organized crime. In the early years of the 20th century, mobster money flowed into Reno and Las Vegas to capitalize on the popularity of gambling. Although the mafia’s connection to casinos has declined, mobsters still fund some. In some cases, they also take a personal interest in the business, becoming owners or operators. Critics argue that the social and economic costs of casino gambling outweigh any initial revenue.