A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. It’s an industry that generates billions of dollars every year for the companies, investors, and Native American tribes that own and operate casinos. It also brings in taxes and fees for state, local and tribal governments. Casinos add luxuries like restaurants, shows, and shopping centers to attract people and keep them gambling. But the vast majority of their profits still come from gambling.

A successful casino has a built-in house edge for each game it offers. This advantage may be lower than two percent, but it adds up over the millions of bets placed by patrons. It’s enough to allow casinos to build hotels, fountains and replicas of famous pyramids and towers.

Gambling was illegal for most of the country’s history, but it didn’t stop casinos from appearing, sometimes openly and with the complicity of law enforcement officials. Even after legalization in Nevada, it took decades before casino gambling spread across the country.

There are now thousands of casinos in the United States, including massive resorts in Las Vegas, and smaller card rooms and gaming halls. In addition, a wide range of casino-style games are available in racetracks and racinos, and at truck stops and bars.

Most US casinos are licensed and regulated by state gaming control boards or commissions, which create rules and regulations for gambling operators. They are also primarily responsible for creating and awarding gaming licenses to new casinos, and for overseeing existing operations. In addition to gambling, the states regulate other aspects of casino operations, such as hiring and firing practices.