A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. They may also feature stage shows and dramatic scenery. Some states allow casinos only on Native American reservations or within specific cities. Others permit them in designated areas, and still others have more loosely defined laws. Casinos may be operated by private individuals, corporations, or charitable organizations. In addition to traditional table and slot games, some casinos feature Far Eastern games such as sic bo and fan-tan.

The popularity of casino games has increased rapidly in recent years, and many people visit them for fun and entertainment. Some people have even become addicted to gambling, and studies show that compulsive gamblers generate a disproportionate share of casino profits. The profitability of casinos has drawn criticism from economists who see them as a drain on local economies, especially in the form of reduced spending by casino patrons on other forms of recreation.

Casinos are designed to stimulate the senses and fool the mind into thinking that luck is on your side. Bright colors and gaudy decorations are used to create an atmosphere of excitement. Clocks are rare in casino floors, as they would be a fire hazard, and windows are seldom visible. This prevents players from realizing how long they have been sitting and concentrating on the game, which can cause them to lose track of time and money.