A casino is a place where people can play gambling games for cash or other items of value. It may also be called a gaming hall or a gambling house. Casino games are generally divided into three categories: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Table games include poker, blackjack and roulette. In addition, many casinos offer a wide variety of other games, including far eastern games such as sic bo and fan-tan. In the United States, casinos are generally located in cities with substantial populations, such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Chicago. Several American Indian reservations also operate casinos.

Gambling has been practiced in almost all societies throughout history. Some forms of it are known to have evolved as early as ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece and Rome, although the precise origin is unknown. In modern times, casinos have become a major source of income for many cities and states, and are widely used in places where gambling is legal.

Many land-based casinos have extensive security measures in place to prevent cheating or theft by patrons and employees. These measures often involve cameras, sophisticated monitoring systems and other technology. In addition, casinos employ highly trained personnel to oversee and monitor the gaming activities. Because of the large amounts of money involved, casinos are often a target for thieves and criminals. Nevertheless, the vast majority of land-based casinos are reputable and safe for visitors.