A casino is a gambling establishment offering table games like blackjack and roulette, as well as slot machines. The facility is also known for its live entertainment, top-notch hotels and spas, and restaurants. In addition to gambling, some casinos feature off-track horse betting and a variety of other entertainment options.

While the majority of casinos are located in Nevada, many are found around the world. The most popular gambling destinations include Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City. Casinos make money by charging patrons a small percentage of their total bets in exchange for the opportunity to play. This advantage can be lower than two percent, but the millions of bets placed by casino patrons add up to a substantial amount of revenue for the companies operating them.

In addition to the large sums of money spent on the building and equipment, a casino must also consider the cost of personnel and other expenses. The typical casino patron is an adult with a household income above the national average and vacation time to gamble. Older parents, who often have the highest disposable income, represent the largest segment of casino gamblers.

The most common casino game is poker, which has become a huge industry in its own right and is played at every level of the casino. Most American casinos offer this and other card games, while European casinos focus on baccarat (known as chemin de fer in Britain and those casinos in France that cater to the British, such as Deauville and Divonne-les-Bains), trente et quarante, and blackjack.