A casino is a gambling establishment that allows patrons to wager money on various games of chance. The games of chance that are played in casinos include card games such as poker and blackjack, dice games like craps, wheel games such as roulette, and electronic bingo machines. In some jurisdictions, casinos may also offer sports betting and pari-mutuel betting. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. The term casino may also refer to an establishment that caters to specific groups of gamblers, such as retired people or families.

A casino offers an array of entertainment options, including live performances by world-renowned musicians and side-splitting comedians, as well as upscale restaurants and bars where visitors can enjoy gourmet cuisine. Casinos use a variety of marketing and psychological strategies to lure gamblers and keep them gambling. For example, they waft scented oils through ventilation systems to create pleasant and inviting atmospheres. They also organize their spaces to encourage gambling by creating windowless walkways lined with enticing slot machines. Additionally, they use a technique called “near-miss” programming on their slot machines to keep players engaged and playing for longer periods of time.

A casino also employs several security measures to prevent cheating and theft by staff or patrons. These security measures usually involve cameras and other technological measures. Nevertheless, casinos face many challenges in the areas of security and fraud due to the high volume of cash handled within their facilities.