A casino is a building or room in which games of chance are played. These include poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and video slots. Some casinos combine gambling with other tourist attractions, such as hotels or retail shopping. The casino industry is regulated by government statutes and a variety of self-imposed regulations. Casinos are often decorated in bright, sometimes gaudy colors that stimulate the senses and encourage patrons to gamble. They may be designed to make players lose track of time, with no clocks on the walls. Many are equipped with cameras to monitor patron behavior. Some have stage shows and dramatic scenery to attract customers.

Casinos earn money by allowing customers to wager on various games of chance and by taking a percentage of all winning bets, or the house edge. They also offer free items, or comps, to customers who spend more than a certain amount of time and money at the facility. The more a person spends, the more likely they are to receive perks such as free food, drinks, hotel rooms, tickets to shows, and even limo service or airline tickets.

Economic studies have shown that casino tax revenue brings new jobs and economic growth to communities where they are located. But it is not clear that the jobs created by casinos are filled by local residents, as is often claimed. In some cases, the local unemployment rate for the original population remains unchanged, while in others it has risen.