A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is an establishment offering various types of gambling. The word is derived from the Latin casin, meaning “to chance”. Some casinos specialize in specific games, such as blackjack, poker, or roulette, while others offer a wide variety of casino-style games. Some even have sports betting and horse racing facilities. Casinos are usually highly regulated and provide a safe environment for gambling.

Most casino games have a predictable long-term advantage for the house, known as the house edge, but some have an element of skill. Players who possess sufficient skills can eliminate the inherent house edge, and are referred to as advantage players. Casinos hire mathematicians to analyze game results and design systems for monitoring the games. In some casinos, computer programs track betting patterns to identify suspicious behavior.

Casinos are most commonly found in Nevada and Atlantic City in the United States, but have also spread to many other states, especially those that have legalized gambling. There are also many casinos located on American Indian reservations, which are not subject to state antigambling laws. Casinos are usually highly regulated and operate under strict security protocols. Modern casinos employ both a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department to monitor and respond to incidents within the facility. Casinos also utilize catwalks extending above the casino floor, which allow security personnel to view activities at slot machines and table games through one-way glass.