A casino is a gambling establishment offering various games of chance and some with an element of skill. The most common games are roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and poker. In the United States, casinos generally make their money through a combination of table game revenue and the commission (rake) taken from player bets. Some of the larger casinos also have an area dedicated to sports betting, where patrons can flick a coin or a few dollars on American football, boxing, and more.

The concept of a casino has existed in many cultures and periods. Archeological evidence of dice gaming dates back to 2300 BC in China, and the earliest known card game appeared around 800 AD in Italy. Modern casinos are most often associated with Las Vegas, although they can be found in cities around the world. Many of the biggest casinos are highly profitable, attracting high rollers who place large bets and can afford to lose big sums of money quickly.

Most games have mathematically determined odds that give the house a constant advantage over players, regardless of skill or knowledge. This advantage, which is referred to as the house edge, varies by game; for example, at some very liberal casinos the edge on blackjack may be as low as 0.2%. In games such as poker where players compete against each other, the casino generates profits through a rake, which is a commission taken from the pot after each hand.