A casino is a building where people can gamble and play games of chance. Most people associate casinos with Las Vegas in Nevada and Atlantic City in New Jersey, but they can also be found in many other places around the world. There are even a few online casinos where players can try their luck at playing the various games of chance.

Most casinos are designed to encourage gambling by providing a variety of entertainment, food, drinks and other amenities. They are usually noisy and bright, with gaudy floor and wall coverings designed to stimulate the senses. Often, they have bars where alcohol can be purchased and waiters or other staff circulate to provide drinks and other refreshments.

Because they are a business, most casinos have rules that must be followed by patrons and employees in order to ensure fairness and protect the property. These rules are generally based on state and local law, though some jurisdictions have more restrictive requirements. Security measures are also a high priority in casinos, given the large amounts of money that may be handled at any one time. These include security cameras and other electronic devices, as well as rules that prevent cheating by patrons or by employees.

Casinos are a major source of revenue for many cities, states and nations. They generate income by charging admission to games, as well as charging a fee to operate machines or table games. Casinos can also generate significant amounts of money by offering comps to frequent patrons, such as free hotel rooms, meals and show tickets.