A casino is a public place where various games of chance are played. Gambling is the primary source of revenue for most casinos. In addition to gambling, some casinos offer food and beverage service and stage shows. Modern casinos are like indoor amusement parks for adults.

There are more than 1,000 casinos in the United States. Las Vegas is the largest gaming market, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. Casinos are also found in Indian tribal lands and on military bases. Some are owned by organized crime groups, which have a tainted image.

Gambling in some form has been part of human culture for millennia. It has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, China and Rome. Modern casino games include slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, craps, baccarat and horse racing.

Casinos make money by charging patrons for admission and by taking a percentage of their bets. This is called the vig or rake. Most casino games have a built in house edge, which is a mathematical advantage for the house. The advantage can be small, but it adds up over millions of bets.

Because of the large amount of money handled within a casino, it is easy for patrons and staff to cheat or steal. To combat this, most casinos have elaborate security measures. These may include cameras, random number generators and other technological innovations. They may also employ red lighting, which is thought to make players lose track of time.