A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. These facilities are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. Some states have legalized casinos, while others ban them or restrict their operations. Those that are legal generally have strict rules regarding age, identity and location. A few offer a wide variety of games, including craps, roulette, baccarat, blackjack and video poker. Some also feature poker tables where patrons play against each other and the house makes a profit through either taking a percentage of the pot or charging an hourly fee.

Gambling in some form has been part of human culture for millennia, with the first recorded games occurring in 2300 BC China. Dice appeared around 500 BC, and card games like baccarat and trente et quarante began to gain in popularity. Most modern casinos focus on the sale of slot machines and table games, though some offer sports betting and other forms of gambling.

Casinos make a significant contribution to the local economy in many cities and towns. In addition to the jobs they create, the increased spending by visitors boosts business for nearby retail stores and restaurants. Studies have shown that counties with casinos have higher employment rates, lower unemployment and higher wages compared to similar counties without casinos. In addition, the money generated by casinos allows local governments to fund essential community services and to avoid raising taxes elsewhere in the city.