A casino, also known as a gambling establishment, is a building or room where people can gamble on games of chance. The games may involve an element of skill, as in the case of poker or blackjack, but the majority are pure luck. Casinos are most often found in resorts, cities with large entertainment districts, or on cruise ships. They may be run by private owners or public corporations. In some countries, casinos must be licensed to operate.

Gambling in some form has been part of human culture for millennia, with evidence of dice and playing cards dating back to 2300 BC. Modern casinos have many security measures in place to prevent cheating and theft by both patrons and staff. Among these are physical security forces and specialized surveillance departments, which monitor all activity in the casino using closed circuit television systems.

Most people when they think of a casino envision one of the megaresorts in Las Vegas, glitzy and opulent with a multitude of gambling opportunities. While these are indeed casinos, the term is more generally used to describe any type of gambling facility. Casinos usually offer a variety of table games, slot machines, and entertainment shows for their customers to enjoy. To be admitted to a casino, patrons must be of legal age and abide by all rules and regulations of the establishment. The casino industry is booming worldwide with more and more states legalizing the practice.