A casino is an establishment for gambling. It offers a variety of games, including roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, poker and bingo. It also provides entertainment and dining options. Some casinos are themed; for example, the Bellagio in Las Vegas is famous for its dancing fountains and the movie Ocean’s 11 was set there. Other casinos focus on high-stakes gambling; for instance, Winstar World Casino in Oklahoma offers off-track horse betting as well as a huge selection of table games and slot machines.

The etymology of the word casino dates back to Italy, where it originally denoted a villa or summerhouse, or even a social club. The earliest modern casinos were built in Europe as the closure of larger public gambling houses pushed gambling into smaller venues.

Gambling is legal in most countries, but some governments regulate it more than others. Regardless of regulation, the casino industry is growing rapidly. In 2025, it is projected to reach USD 126.3 Billion. The most profitable casinos are in Las Vegas, Macau and Atlantic City.

While many gamblers are content with their winnings, others seek to maximize them. To do this, they often take advantage of casino comps, or free goods and services. These can include food, drinks and hotel rooms, but may also extend to show tickets, limo service or airline tickets. The reason a casino gives these comps is to keep gamblers satisfied and coming back. Free food and drink, for example, will distract players from thinking about their losses. Additionally, casinos use chips rather than actual money to reduce the psychological impact of losing.