A casino is an establishment for gambling. It is often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and other entertainment facilities. Some casinos host live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy and concerts, to draw in tourists. Others feature sports betting and horse racing. The term casino can also refer to a specific game, such as blackjack or poker. The word casino originated in Italy. It has been used in English-speaking countries since the 19th century.

Casinos generate significant economic impacts in their host communities, generating revenue from patrons’ aggregate losses and creating jobs in hotel, restaurant and retail sectors. They also boost local tourism and business travel, and they may encourage gambling among local residents who would otherwise not engage in that activity. However, studies suggest that compulsive gambling can offset these positive impacts, and it can reduce community wealth by diverting spending away from other sources of recreation.

There are three general categories of casino games: gaming machines, table games and random number games. Gaming machines are those that involve one or more players competing against the machine rather than against other patrons, such as slots and pachinko. Table games, including blackjack and craps, are conducted by casino employees known as croupiers. Random number games are those that select numbers according to a computerized system, such as roulette.

Casinos use cameras and other technological measures to ensure the integrity of their games, but they also enforce security through rules of conduct and behavior. For example, a player’s hand must be visible at all times while playing cards. In addition, casino employees are trained to spot cheating or stealing.