A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance. It may also offer other forms of gaming, such as video poker. Patrons gamble using cash or casino chips. Some casinos allow players to interact with each other or with live dealers in some games. In addition to casino games, many casinos have restaurants and bars.

Casinos are generally staffed with employees who are trained to deal with gambling addiction. They also encourage responsible gambling through programs and incentives such as free spectacular entertainment, reduced-fare transportation to the casino, and hotel rooms. In addition, some casinos have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one-way glass, at table and slot game activities.

The casino industry is a major source of income for some countries. In the United States, it accounts for about 40 percent of all tax revenues. During the 1990s, casinos dramatically increased their use of technology to monitor and control games. For example, some slot machines have built-in microcircuitry that allows the casino to know exactly how much has been wagered on a particular machine minute by minute; roulette wheels are electronically monitored to discover quickly any statistical deviations from expected results.

Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia, with the first documented evidence coming from China in 2300 BC and from dice in Italy in 500 AD. In modern times, most casinos feature a variety of games of chance and skill, such as baccarat (known in the US as chemin de fer), blackjack, and roulette.