A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Many casinos offer a variety of gambling opportunities, including slot machines, table games, and card games. Some casinos also feature theaters and other live entertainment. In addition, some casinos are designed as entertainment destinations, with luxurious decor and amenities such as swimming pools, spas, and gourmet dining.

The casino industry is based on stimulating the senses of visitors to create an environment that encourages gambling. In the past, this was accomplished by offering opulent decor and free beverages to stimulate spending. The modern casino uses electronic stimulation to achieve the same effect, with flashing lights and sounds aimed at the psyche.

During the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos were famous for their deeply discounted travel packages, cheap buffets, and free show tickets. This strategy was aimed at filling the hotel rooms and gambling floor as quickly as possible to maximize gambling revenue. Today, most casinos offer comps, which are free goods or services that are given to players based on their level of play. These may include free meals, drink vouchers, hotel rooms, or even limo service and airline tickets.

The most popular casino game is the slot machine, followed by blackjack and poker. Craps, roulette, and keno are less popular. Casinos are regulated by federal and state laws to ensure fair play and prevent criminal activities. Security is also a priority, with cameras constantly monitoring the floor and staff watching for suspicious activity. Despite this, cheating and stealing are common, and some people attempt to use skill or knowledge of probability to beat the house.