A casino is a gambling establishment, offering games of chance for money. It is also known as a gaming house or a gambling den. A casino may offer a wide range of luxuries to appeal to gamblers, such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. Casinos may also offer a variety of games, including card games, roulette and craps. Some casinos also feature exotic games, such as sic bo, fan-tan and pai gow.

Each game has a built in advantage for the casino, which is known as the house edge or vig. This small percentage of each bet provides the casino with enough money to pay its employees and keep the lights on. Over time, the millions of bets made in a casino can produce enormous profits. These profits are the basis for the elaborate hotels, fountains and replicas of famous pyramids and towers that characterize many modern casinos.

While the opulent furnishings, stage shows and lavish accommodations all contribute to a casino’s revenue, it is the games that provide the bulk of its profits. Slot machines, blackjack and the like provide a steady source of income that enables a casino to attract large numbers of visitors. Craps is another favorite, with its high speed of play and low house edge of only one percent or less.

Other games, such as baccarat and roulette, draw big bettors and require larger wagers. In the United States, casinos are found in Atlantic City, New Jersey and in various American Indian reservations, which are exempt from state antigambling laws. Casinos also are scattered across the globe, in cities such as Monte Carlo, Monaco; Singapore; Macau, China; and in the Caribbean, particularly on Caribbean islands such as Jamaica and Puerto Rico.