A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment where people can gamble on games of chance. Most casinos also offer restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Some are located in large hotel complexes or standalone buildings, while others are attached to other attractions such as golf courses and racetracks. In the United States, casinos are legal in some states and not in others. Many casinos are owned by major business organizations, including real estate investors and hotel chains. They can be found in cities, towns and Indian reservations.

Gambling in a casino is usually done for cash. A player places a bet on the outcome of a game and is paid according to the odds on that outcome. Table games, like blackjack and roulette, are played on a table with one or more live dealers. Other games, such as slot machines, are conducted by mechanical devices.

Something about the environment of gambling in a casino encourages people to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot. As a result, casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. Security cameras, especially those mounted in the ceiling, can be an effective deterrent to cheaters. Dealers keep a close eye on their patrons, looking for blatant cheating techniques such as palming, marking and switching cards or dice. Managers and pit bosses watch over the tables with a broader view, checking betting patterns for signs of cheating.

A casino earns a substantial amount of its revenue from high bettors, or “high rollers.” These big spenders are given special rooms, free luxury suites and other inducements to gamble in the casino. Comps are also offered to players who place relatively small bets, such as reduced-fare transportation and hotel rooms, free meals and drinks while gambling and tickets to entertainment.