A casino, also called a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is a place for patrons to gamble. It may offer a wide variety of games, but the most popular are card games such as poker and blackjack and table games such as roulette and craps. A casino can also feature live entertainment such as musical shows and comedy acts. In the United States, there are several large casinos that are built as part of resorts or hotels, and many states have legalized gambling.

While gambling probably predates recorded history, the modern casino as a gathering place for various forms of wagering did not emerge until the 16th century during a betting craze that saw wealthy Italian aristocrats gather in private places called ridotti to play their favorite games, including baccarat, trente et quarante and blackjack. Today, casino games are often played with dice and cards, although some casinos feature electronic versions of these classics in which players bet by pushing buttons rather than rolling or dealing.

Unlike other businesses, which must pay out winning bets within an established limit, the casino has a built-in advantage on every game it offers, known as the house edge. This advantage is typically less than two percent, and it gives the casino a virtual assurance of gross profit over time. This allows it to attract the big bettors who can afford to spend large sums on a single day and provides comps – free food, hotel rooms and even limo service and airline tickets for those who play enough – to keep most visitors happy.