A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Some casinos are stand-alone, while others are part of or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by law. Others are unlicensed and operate illegally. Many casinos are owned by corporations, but some are run by individuals or families. The term casino may also refer to an establishment for non-gambling entertainment, such as a circus or a comedy club.

Something about gambling (probably the presence of large amounts of money) encourages people to cheat or steal, and casinos spend a lot of time and money on security. They also put a lot of emphasis on customer service, giving gamblers perks that help them spend more money. These include free food, drinks, show tickets and travel packages. Some casinos are open around the clock and have dedicated staff for serving high rollers.

Most casinos have mathematically determined odds for their games that ensure the house will always have an advantage over players. This edge is sometimes called the house edge or expected value. It is a function of the rules of the game, the number of decks used, and other factors. In games that have some skill element, like blackjack, players can reduce the house edge by learning basic strategy. More advanced strategies, such as card counting, can shift the house edge slightly in favor of the player.