A casino is a gambling establishment that offers the opportunity for players to gamble. Casino games typically provide a predictable long-term advantage to the house, while offering players the chance for a short-term gain that in some cases can be large. Casinos may also offer other games such as poker or bingo. Some casinos specialize in certain games, such as baccarat or craps.

Modern casinos are large, luxurious complexes that feature multiple gaming areas with slot machines and table games. They also feature gourmet restaurants, luxury hotel accommodations, shopping malls, and top-billed entertainment shows. Some even have bowling alleys and race tracks. The financial success of a casino depends on its ability to attract and retain customers.

Casinos are usually protected by security forces that patrol the premises and respond to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. They are also equipped with cameras to monitor the gambling area. Casinos are also staffed with individuals to help players with their problems.

Some casinos cater to specific types of players by reducing their house edge or offering special inducements. For example, some casinos offer lower-house edges on roulette to appeal to small bettors, while others reduce the house edge on baccarat or blackjack to draw in big bettors. Some casinos also offer specialized games such as sic bo (which became popular in Europe in the 1990s) and fan-tan. These games generally have lower probabilities of winning than the more popular games.