A casino is a place where people can play a variety of games of chance for money. Some games, such as poker, blackjack, and craps, involve skill in addition to luck. Some casinos also feature stage shows and other entertainment. Casinos can be found in many cities and countries around the world.

Casinos make a significant amount of money for their local governments, which in turn, help to keep unemployment rates down and bring up the average wages in the surrounding neighborhood. They may also generate other types of revenue, such as from sales tax on food and beverage purchases. These revenues can make a big difference in the economic viability of a city, allowing it to fund public services and projects that would not otherwise be possible.

However, it is important to note that casinos also tend to draw in a high percentage of compulsive gamblers who drain the profits of the other patrons and often cause harm to their families and communities. Some research suggests that the negative impacts of casino gambling far outweigh any benefits they might have.

Casinos have historically been places where organized crime figures gather to engage in a wide range of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion and prostitution. Mafia money flowed steadily into the Nevada casinos and helped them grow. As casinos became more popular, they expanded into other parts of the country, especially on American Indian reservations that were not subject to state antigambling laws.