A casino is a place where people play games of chance for money. It is also a popular form of entertainment for both tourists and locals. In addition to slot machines and other electronic games, casinos offer table games like blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and poker. Most games have mathematically determined odds that guarantee the house a profit over the players, and this advantage is known as the house edge. Casinos also charge a fee to the players who play against each other, called a rake. The house may also give out complimentary items to players, known as comps.

Many casino patrons are addicted to gambling, and their behavior can contribute to economic losses for the host community. Studies indicate that casino revenue shifts spending from other forms of local entertainment and that the cost of treating compulsive gamblers offsets any economic benefits a casino might bring to the area.

The casino industry is regulated by government agencies in most jurisdictions, and casino locations must meet certain minimum standards to be licensed. Some states prohibit or restrict the types of games offered in their casinos. Others permit only specific types of gambling such as lotteries or card games. Still others regulate the number of gaming tables, the maximum amount that can be wagered, and the percentage of revenue that must be returned to players. Some states have even set minimum standards for the size of a casino and the type of building it must be.