A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It is often associated with glitz and glamour, but it can also be seedy and sleazy. It is a place where people can gamble, but it also has other entertainment offerings such as restaurants and bars. It is sometimes combined with hotels, resorts, retail shops, and even cruise ships. Casinos are regulated by the government in many jurisdictions.

Gambling is a popular pastime for many, and casinos are a familiar sight around the world. These casinos are often built with a mix of the opulent and the down-home, featuring dazzling displays of lights and sound, expensive furniture and fixtures, and an array of gaming options. While there are a few exceptions, most casinos offer a variety of slot and table games.

Unlike other forms of gambling, most casino games have a built-in advantage for the house. This edge is typically very small and can vary from game to game, but it adds up over time, allowing casinos to make large profits from bettors. Players who have the skill to overcome this edge are known as advantage players.

While some people may feel tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with other patrons or independently, most casinos have strict security measures in place to prevent this from occurring. These include cameras that monitor all areas of the facility and catwalks above the tables and slots where surveillance personnel can watch through one-way glass.