A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships and are operated by one or more gaming companies. In the United States, casinos are usually licensed and regulated by the state in which they operate. Some states prohibit casino gambling, while others endorse it or regulate it to some extent. In addition to games of chance, casinos may also offer sports betting and horse racing.

There are many different types of casino games, but they all fall into three broad categories: Gaming machines, table games, and random number games. Gaming machines are primarily electronic devices that display random numbers and allow players to wager money on the outcome of a game. Table games, on the other hand, involve a face-to-face interaction between players and a dealer or croupier. These games include baccarat (known in the UK as chemin de fer), blackjack, and craps. In some cases, casino tables may also feature poker.

The best casinos today live up to their palatial exteriors with five-star hotel accommodations, Michelin star restaurants, and top-billed entertainment shows ranging from high-flying circus acts to musician concerts that top the Billboard charts. They are designed to appeal to the most discerning casino connoisseurs, with larger buffets and more games to choose from.