A casino is an establishment where people can gamble. Casinos usually feature a variety of games, such as poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette. They may also have restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues. Some casinos are extremely large, and contain several floors and rooms filled with gambling tables and machines. Others are small, and only contain a few table games and slots. The size of a casino depends on its location and type of gambling.

Most casino games have some element of skill, and many have mathematical odds that ensure the house has a profit over players. This profit is called the house edge. Some games, such as roulette, have a higher house edge than others. In games with a significant amount of skill, the house edge can be reduced by using strategies such as card counting.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, security is an important concern. Most casinos have both a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. These departments work together to prevent criminal activity, and they are trained to recognize suspicious or threatening behavior. Casinos also employ techniques such as noise and bright lighting to discourage cheating or theft.

In 2005, the average casino gambler was a forty-six-year-old female from a household with above-average income. This demographic is growing in prominence, and the number of Americans visiting casinos has risen dramatically since 1989.