A casino (or gambling house) is a building where people can gamble on games of chance. Successful casinos bring in billions of dollars each year for the companies, corporations, investors, and Native American tribes that own and operate them. They also reap tax revenues in states and cities where they are legal. Casinos range from massive resorts to small card rooms. Many casinos offer a variety of games, including poker and blackjack. Some also offer sports betting and other forms of electronic entertainment.

In the past, most American casinos were owned by organized crime figures or gangsters. Mob money helped them finance elaborate hotels and casinos that boasted fountains, towers, and replicas of famous landmarks. But after the government cracked down on illegal rackets, mafia members became less enthusiastic about casinos, which had a seamy image. Eventually, real estate investors and hotel chains bought out the mobsters, giving casinos a more respectable image.

Casinos make their money by offering built in advantages to their games. These advantages can be as small as two percent, but add up over the millions of bets placed by patrons each day. As a result, it is extremely rare for a casino to lose money on its gambling operations, even for one day. Large bettors, or high rollers, are often given extravagant inducements, such as free shows and meals. Casinos also offer comps to smaller players to encourage them to spend more time and money playing their games.