A casino is a gambling establishment that offers various games of chance for a fee. These games include roulette, poker, blackjack, and slot machines. Casinos are also a popular form of entertainment, with live performances by well-known artists. They may offer food and drinks, and some provide hotel accommodations and other amenities. The United States government classifies casinos under the North American Industry Classification System code 713210.

Like any other business in a capitalist society, casinos are in business to make money. They rake in billions annually for the corporations, investors, and Native American tribes that run them. They also generate profits for local governments by paying taxes and fees. Some towns are defined by their casinos, such as Atlantic City, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois.

Gambling in its various forms has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. The precise origin is unknown, but it is generally believed to have been developed from activities involving dice and cards in prehistoric societies. Modern casinos incorporate many aspects of these early games. They feature a mix of traditional and modern technologies to enhance security and provide an immersive experience for their guests.

Most casinos offer table games and video poker, with the latter becoming increasingly popular in recent years. They also offer electronic versions of classic games such as roulette and craps, which are augmented with microcircuitry that allows them to be tracked minute by minute and to warn the operator quickly when they depart from their expected behavior.