A casino is a gambling establishment that offers players a variety of games of chance. These establishments usually include tables and electronic machines that take various forms of currency, and they may also feature entertainment options such as live performances or sports betting. In the United States, casinos are most commonly found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Generally, casino games involve an element of chance and the house always has a mathematical advantage over the player. However, some games have a skill component, and players who use skills to overcome the inherent long-term disadvantage of a game are known as advantage players. The advantage of the house over the players is typically expressed as a percentage, and is called the house edge or vigorish. Casinos earn money by taking a commission on the winnings of players, which is commonly known as a rake.

Gambling is a popular pastime in many countries around the world, and casinos are an important source of revenue for some nations. Some are owned by governments, while others are private businesses. In some cases, governments regulate the operations of casinos and provide oversight in order to protect gamblers. Other nations regulate the number of casino licenses issued, limit the types of games offered, and require that employees be trained on casino security procedures. In addition, some nations prohibit casinos altogether. Casinos can be very large buildings with numerous gaming tables and machines, or they can be small structures with only a few tables.