A casino is a gambling establishment that offers table games and slot machines. Some casinos also offer poker and other card games. In addition, some offer sports betting and off-track horse betting. Casinos are often located in tourist destinations or near hotels and resorts. Some have a luxurious, exclusive feel while others are more low-key and family-oriented. In addition to gambling, many casinos feature entertainment and dining options.

A modern casino usually consists of a large gaming floor with dozens of tables and hundreds of slot machines. Some are extremely large, such as those in Macau. The gaming is supervised by a croupier, who runs the game and collects winning bets. Most casino games are based on chance, but some have an element of skill. The house always has an advantage over the players, which is mathematically determined by the odds and can be described as the expected value of a bet or the house edge.

The casino industry is regulated in most jurisdictions. Some casinos are owned by governments, while others are privately run. Some have a club-like membership structure and require guests to wear tuxedos or evening dresses. Many casinos have a security force, which patrols the premises and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. Others have a specialized surveillance department that operates a closed circuit television system known as the eye in the sky. This system is often manned by former police officers.