A casino, also called a gaming house or a gambling house, is a building or room where people can gamble. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. Many casinos are licensed and regulated by the government. Some are owned by private individuals, while others are operated by large organizations such as corporations, investment firms, or Native American tribes.

The precise origin of casino is not known, but it is generally believed to be an extension of gambling activities in the form of card games and dice. Casinos are usually based on a fixed floor plan with a variety of table games, slot machines, and other gambling devices. Most people associate casinos with Las Vegas, but there are also casinos in other cities and countries.

Some casinos are open to the general public while others are restricted to members only. Most casinos offer a wide range of casino games and are heavily advertised, with many offering a chance to win big money. Some casinos specialize in specific types of games, such as poker or blackjack.

Most casinos make their money by generating a small percentage of all bets placed on their games. This percentage is referred to as the house edge. The advantage is higher in games of pure chance, such as roulette or craps, than in those with a skill element, such as poker. In order to minimize the house edge, players should know the game they are playing and apply basic strategy.