A casino is a building where people gamble and play games of chance. It may be as large as a Las Vegas resort or as small as a card room in a local bar. Regardless of their size, casinos bring in billions of dollars each year for companies, investors, and owners. The profits also support local governments and Native American tribes. In addition to gambling, casinos often feature restaurants and entertainment shows. They typically require patrons to be of legal age to enter. People exchange cash for chips that can be used to play the games. Casinos use cameras and other security measures to keep their patrons safe from cheating or stealing.

Many casino games are played socially, either around a table or on the floor. Gamblers are encouraged to interact and shout encouragement, and the atmosphere is designed around noise and excitement. In addition, casinos offer free food and drinks, which help people stay occupied and make them more likely to bet. Chips with built-in microcircuitry allow casinos to monitor bet amounts minute by minute, and roulette wheels are electronically monitored to quickly detect any deviation from the expected results.

Despite their large profits, casinos are not without controversy. Critics contend that they do not generate enough revenue for the communities they serve, and that their profits represent a shift in spending away from other forms of local entertainment. They also point to the high cost of treating problem gambling, which can more than offset any economic gains.