A casino, also called a gambling house or a gaming room is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Modern casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, and other tourist attractions. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state and local laws. Casinos may be equipped with various security measures to prevent cheating or theft by patrons, staff, and other visitors. Security cameras located throughout the facility are one common method.

Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia, with evidence dating back to 2300 BC in China. Games such as roulette, baccarat, and blackjack have long been popular in casinos. Casinos use many tactics to encourage gamblers, including displaying bright lights and using sound effects such as clangs of coins to attract attention.

Many casinos offer comps to lure in gamblers and reward repeat business. These may include free rooms, meals, show tickets, or other perks. During the 1970s, Las Vegas casinos were famous for offering discounted travel packages and buffets to entice people to visit. Today, casinos are more discerning about who they let gamble and how much money they spend. They focus on high-stakes gamblers, arranging special rooms where the stakes are in the tens of thousands of dollars. These high rollers receive a large percentage of the casino’s profits, and are often offered gifts such as luxury suites. They may also be given exclusive invitations to private games and events.