A casino, or gambling house, is a facility where people can gamble and play games of chance. Casinos are found worldwide and offer a variety of games to their customers, including poker, slot machines, table games such as blackjack and roulette, and more. Some casinos also feature restaurants, bars, and live entertainment.

Casinos are operated by governments or private businesses and are usually open to the public. In the United States, casino games are regulated by state and local laws. The term casino is most commonly used for facilities that offer a wide range of gaming activities, including card games, dice, and other random chance events such as the spinning of a roulette wheel. Casinos often employ mathematicians and computer programmers to design systems that maximize their profits. These specialists are known as gaming mathematicians and analysts.

The first modern casinos appeared in the United States during the early 20th century, and were usually located on Indian reservations. During the 1980s, several American states amended their antigambling statutes to permit casinos.

Casinos are generally considered to be addictive and money-taking, and many people who visit them have a hard time controlling their spending habits. To help avoid this problem, players should start with a fixed amount of money that they are willing to lose and never bet more than they can afford to lose. In addition, they should make sure to set a time limit for each game and not stay on the casino floor longer than they want to.