A casino (also known as a gambling house or a gaming room) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. The most common of these are card games such as poker, blackjack and roulette. There are also other forms of gambling such as lotteries and bingo. Casinos also offer a variety of entertainment options such as shows and fine dining. Some casinos are operated by major hotel chains and can be found in cities around the world.

Casinos are businesses and as such must make a profit. To do this they must attract customers and keep them coming back. This is why they offer many luxuries such as free drinks and stage shows. The goal is to create an environment that is unique and enjoyable for people to gamble in. Casinos must also take steps to prevent cheating and theft by patrons and employees. These measures may include security cameras, specially trained staff and special rules for players.

Casinos vary in size and layout but have a few common features. Most have a main floor that is open to the public. This floor is where the majority of gambling takes place. Some casinos have multiple floors with different games. In some cases the games are separated by skill level or type of player. For example, high rollers often prefer to play in the high-limit rooms. Other casinos may have set limits on the amount that a patron can win on each game.