A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are regulated by law and operate under government license. Some casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment such as concerts and stand-up comedy acts.

A modern casino is a complex building that houses a variety of games of chance and skill. These include card games, dice games, horse and dog races, and slot machines. Casinos have become major sources of revenue for many states, cities, and tribes. They are also a popular destination for tourists and business travelers. A casino’s security staff is responsible for preventing and detecting cheating and fraud. They use video surveillance systems, the rules of the game, and other methods to monitor patrons.

Casinos earn a significant portion of their income from high-stakes gamblers, who are known as “high rollers”. These bettors are usually recognizable by their extravagant inducements such as free spectacular entertainment, luxury hotel rooms, meals and drinks while gambling, and reduced-fare transportation and other expenses.

According to research by Harrah’s Entertainment, in 2005 the typical American casino patron was a forty-six-year-old female from households with above-average incomes. This gender was significantly more likely to gamble than men and individuals from lower-income families. In general, as household incomes increase, the percentage of casino gamblers decreases. The popularity of casinos also seems to be related to the social aspects of gaming, as evidenced by the fact that many people enjoy taking weekend bus trips to local casino destinations with friends.