A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Generally casinos combine gambling with restaurants, hotels, retail shopping and sometimes live entertainment. Casinos can be found in countries around the world and some are operated by large multinational companies. Some are built on the grounds of resorts, while others stand alone. Most casinos offer a variety of gaming options such as slots, table games and poker. Some also offer a wide range of sports betting and lotteries.

Most casino games provide a predictable long-term advantage for the house, known as the house edge. However, in a small number of games there is a skill element and players possessing the appropriate skills can eliminate this edge. In these games, the casino earns a commission from each bet, sometimes called the vig or rake.

Casinos use various measures to prevent cheating and stealing, both in collusion and on an individual basis. Security cameras are a common sight and are constantly monitored by manned or automated surveillance systems to ensure that patrons are not engaging in unauthorized behavior. Pit bosses and table managers monitor game play with a more detailed view, watching for patterns that might indicate cheating, such as palming, marking or switching cards.

Slot machines and video poker are the economic backbone of many American casinos, providing revenue from high-volume, rapid play at sums ranging from five cents to a dollar or more. In addition, many of these games are designed to be tamper-proof by limiting the maximum amount that can be wagered per spin.