A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming palace, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are most commonly found in cities or tourist destinations such as Las Vegas, Nevada and Macau, China. Some casinos are standalone while others are combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops or other attractions. In terms of sheer gambling floor space, the largest casinos in the world are located in Las Vegas and Macau.

Gambling has been a popular pastime for people from all walks of life since antiquity. Modern casinos are designed with the idea of enhancing the experience by offering more than just betting on games of chance. In addition to games of chance, casinos offer a variety of entertainment options such as shows and concerts, and even family-friendly activities.

The casino industry is a global business that operates in many jurisdictions around the world and is regulated by law in some jurisdictions. As a general rule, casino owners operate casinos with the intention of making a profit, and this is done by ensuring that the house edge (the casino’s mathematical advantage over patrons) is as low as possible.

In America, casinos make a large portion of their profits from the sale of slot machines and (since the 1980s) video poker machines. These machines generate revenue by accepting coins or paper tickets with barcodes that contain a unique identification number, and they are programmed to return a specific percentage of the money wagered on them.