A casino is an establishment for gambling. In the United States, casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. In many cases, they are also used for live entertainment events such as concerts and stand-up comedy. The word casino is derived from the Italian word for a small clubhouse, or a place to meet friends. The casino concept is believed to have originated in the late 19th century, when it became popular for wealthy Italians and others living in the Alps to visit mountain towns in order to gamble.

Most casinos offer a wide variety of games. The most popular games are roulette, blackjack and slot machines. Other common games include craps, baccarat and video poker. Most of these games have mathematically determined odds that give the house a constant advantage over players. This advantage is sometimes called the house edge or expected value. In games where there is a skill component, the casino takes a rake or commission from each player.

While casinos are designed to keep patrons playing as long as possible, they do not always succeed. Despite the fact that most casino games are based on chance, people continue to gamble in the hopes of winning. Something about the excitement of gambling and the possibility of winning seems to encourage people to cheat, steal and lie in order to improve their chances of winning. This is why casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security.