A casino is a place where people can gamble. These establishments often combine gambling with restaurants, hotels, retail shopping and other attractions to attract customers. They may also host live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy and concerts. Casinos are usually heavily guarded and have several security features. They also have a variety of different table games and slot machines, as well as a few other amusements.

Casinos make most of their money from gambling activities. Although they offer other luxuries to draw in customers, such as elaborate themes, lighted fountains and musical shows, the vast majority of their profits are generated by gaming machines and tables like blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat.

During the early days of casino gambling, organized crime figures controlled most of the business in Nevada and elsewhere because of their large cash reserves from drug dealing and other illegal activities. They invested in casinos and pumped money into them, taking sole or partial ownership of some. Mob money infused the industry with a seamy reputation that made legitimate businessmen wary of getting involved.

In the United States, most casinos are licensed and regulated by state governments. In 2002, about 51 million people—a quarter of all adults over 21—visited a casino, according to the American Gaming Association. Casinos are popular with many types of people, but older adults—especially women—are the largest segment of the market. This group has more leisure time and disposable income than younger people.