A casino is a place where people can gamble and win money. Casinos often feature slot machines, table games like blackjack and roulette, and poker. Some casinos also have sports betting and horse racing. In addition to gambling, casinos can provide other amenities, such as restaurants and bars.

The casino industry is one of the largest industries in the world, with revenues of more than US$400 billion in 2010. Its growth is driven by consumer demand for gaming and entertainment. People are increasingly willing to travel long distances to gamble, and many international tourists visit casinos as part of their vacations. The industry is regulated by government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.

While the casino industry is based on luck and chance, there are some skills that can be learned to improve chances of winning. Players should learn to read the odds and apply a strategy to their game, such as counting cards or using mathematical formulas to calculate expected value. This is especially important in table games, where the house has a built-in advantage.

Martin Scorsese’s Casino is a mob drama dialed up to 11. It reveals how casino king Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro) funneled millions out of the fictional Tangiers hotel for mafia elders back East. It also shows how Vegas became a giant money machine for corporations that put the mafia out of business. Like The Godfather, the movie makes audiences feel like eavesdroppers.