A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. From the glitzy megaresorts in Las Vegas to the illegal pai gow parlors of New York City, there are hundreds of casinos worldwide.

Most casinos earn money by charging a small percentage of each bet placed in their games, which is called the house edge or vig. This can be as low as two percent, but it adds up over the millions of bets placed each year. In addition, casinos often offer other services that can increase their revenue, such as free entertainment and luxury hotels.

There are three general types of casino games: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Gaming machines, such as slot machines and pachinko, are played by one person at a time and do not require the involvement of casino employees. Table games, such as blackjack and poker, involve multiple players competing against the house rather than each other. These games are conducted by casino employees, known as croupiers or dealers. Random number games, such as bingo and keno, are based on selection of numbers, either by a computerized random number generator or a physical wheel.

Although casinos provide employment and other economic benefits, they also contribute to gambling addiction. Studies show that problem gambling shifts spending from other local entertainment and increases the cost of treatment for compulsive gambling. This can ultimately cancel out any economic gains that the casino might bring to a community.