A casino is a place where gambling activities are carried out. Casinos usually offer a wide range of amenities to attract and retain customers, including restaurants, free drinks, stage shows and dramatic scenery. There have been many controversies about the social and economic impact of casinos. Some people argue that the profits from gambling shift spending away from other forms of local entertainment, while others point to the high cost of treating problem gamblers and the loss in productivity due to addiction.

Most casinos feature a variety of games of chance and skill. Gaming machines, such as slot machines and pachinko, are operated by players, who compete against the machine rather than against other patrons. Table games, such as blackjack and poker, are conducted by casino employees known as croupiers or dealers. Most of these games have an element of luck, although some are based on skill and the ability to count cards.

Casinos also provide security measures to protect their customers. They use cameras to monitor the actions of patrons and staff, and they require players to keep their hands visible at all times. Staff members also watch other tables with a more discerning eye, looking for signs of cheating and observing betting patterns that may indicate collusion.

Some casinos encourage frequent play by rewarding their biggest spenders with comps, or complimentary goods and services. These can include free hotel rooms, meals, show tickets and even limo service. In addition, most states have responsible gambling measures in place that require casinos to display information about problem gambling and provide contact details for organizations that can help.