A casino, also known as a gambling hall or a gaming house, is a place where people can gamble and take part in other entertainment activities. Casinos have long been an important source of revenue in many states. They often compete with each other to attract customers and increase their share of the gambling market. In the United States casinos are usually licensed and regulated by state governments. Casinos are typically built in attractive locations such as resorts and cities, or on Indian reservations.
A significant aspect of casino gaming is that the games provide a predictable long-term advantage to the casino, called the house edge or vigorish. In addition, the game rules often permit players to make short-term gains that are less than the house edge. Players who can eliminate the house edge by skillful play are called advantage players.
Most modern casinos are designed to appeal to a wide range of patrons, from the wealthy to the middle-class. They offer a variety of entertainment options, such as dining, shopping, and other leisure activities. Casinos are also a major source of employment for many people.
A casino may have a physical security force to protect the property and personnel, or it may rely on a specialized surveillance department that monitors the gaming area by closed circuit television. Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently.