A casino is a gambling establishment where gamblers place bets on games of chance. Some casinos specialize in specific games, while others offer a variety of different gambling activities. In addition to traditional table games, many casinos feature a variety of electronic gaming machines.

Casinos are operated by gaming licensees, who are responsible for ensuring that the casino operates within the law and that patrons are treated fairly. Some casinos also employ security personnel to monitor the patrons. These security staff members are often armed.

In the United States, casinos are usually located in or near resorts and are known as hotel-casinos. Most of the large casinos are owned by corporations, investors, or casino operators. They bring in billions of dollars each year for the owners, developers, and managers. The profits from the casinos are used for a variety of purposes, including further development of the property, improvements to the hotel, and other uses. Casinos are also sometimes built at racetracks, on barges and boats on waterways, and in some states in truck stops and other small businesses.

Some casinos are designed with elaborate features, such as fountains and towering pyramids, while others are more discreet. Despite their size, casinos generally have the same basic layout. Windows and clocks are rare in casino design, so that patrons can spend hours gambling without realizing how long they have been there. In addition, many casinos use sophisticated surveillance systems to monitor their patrons.