A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is an entertainment center that offers various forms of gambling. Its patrons can gamble by playing games of chance or skill, and it is common for a casino to feature live entertainment. Many casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and retail stores, and are located in tourist destinations. In addition, some casinos are entirely stand-alone buildings.

Casinos are a source of entertainment and they can provide players with a range of benefits, including hours of fun and the opportunity to develop new skills. However, it is important for players to be aware of the potential impact on their mental health and to take steps to protect themselves against negative effects.

Most casino profits come from gambling games, which rely largely on luck and sometimes on strategy. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette and baccarat are some of the most popular casino games. These games account for billions of dollars in profits raked in by U.S. casinos each year. Other games, such as craps, keno and video poker, have more skill involved than chance, but are still largely dependent on chance.

While musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers and lavish hotels help draw in guests, casinos would not exist without gambling games. Large gamblers, or high rollers, are a main source of revenue for casinos and are often rewarded with comps such as free hotel rooms, tickets to shows and even limo service and airline tickets. High rollers usually gamble in special rooms that are off the casino floor, where they can make bets of tens of thousands of dollars and receive top-notch service.