A casino is a building or room in which games of chance are played for money. The modern casino is a large structure built in a variety of styles and themes, such as the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas, and provides a wide range of gambling opportunities. In addition to slot machines and table games such as blackjack, roulette, poker and craps, casinos offer a wide variety of other gambling products such as keno and racetrack betting.

The casino industry is a billion-dollar business that brings in profits for owners, investors and Native American tribes. But while lighted fountains, shopping centers and elaborate stage shows may entice people to gamble, the billions of dollars raked in by casinos each year come from games of pure chance, such as slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and poker.

There is one certainty in gambling: The house always wins. While some casinos add luxuries to encourage patrons to gamble, such as free spectacular entertainment and transportation, others limit the amenities to basic food and drink and elegant living quarters. In any event, nothing in a casino is left to chance. Each game has a set of built-in advantages that ensure that the casino will always win.

While many people associate casinos with glitzy, high-stakes gambling halls, there are also a number of smaller, more modest facilities that allow customers to place bets for less money. These casinos usually feature fewer gaming tables and less elaborate decorations, but they can still provide a fun, relaxing gambling environment.