A casino is a building or room where gambling activities take place. It is also a public house, which sells alcohol and food and offers other entertainment like musical shows and stage performances. The modern casino is a dazzling array of lights, sounds and excitement, with a huge variety of games of chance, including blackjack, poker, craps and slot machines. These generate the billions in profits that casinos earn each year.

Casinos are usually built near major tourist attractions, as this increases their customer base. They also invest heavily in promoting their facilities, through advertising and publicity campaigns. Many are themed, and the lighting and music are designed to create a particular atmosphere. The games themselves are also carefully selected to appeal to customers.

In addition to the glitz and glamour, casinos also have a dark side. Compulsive gamblers, who account for a significant percentage of the clientele, are known to damage the economy of their communities by diverting spending from local businesses and by undermining job opportunities. They also contribute to social problems such as family violence, bankruptcy and homelessness.

In order to avoid such problems, casinos use a variety of security measures. Many have sophisticated surveillance systems. For example, in some American casinos, betting chips have built-in microcircuitry that allows them to be tracked minute by minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to detect any statistical deviation from expected results. Casinos are also staffed with people who can spot suspicious activity and alert security staff.