A casino is a place for gambling. Most casinos have a wide variety of gambling games available. Some casinos even specialize in inventing new games to draw in more customers. In many places the games offered by casinos are regulated and overseen by government agencies.

In the past, some casinos were designed to be elegant and luxurious, such as the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco, which was famous for its red and gold poker rooms, where Marlene Dietrich and other celebrities favored playing. Other casinos were designed to be noisy and flashy, like the one in Las Vegas, where a multitude of lights, bells, and other noises beckoned people into the gaming floors.

While casinos have no legal obligation to honor a winning bet, they frequently offer extravagant inducements for big bettors, such as free spectacular entertainment, transportation, and luxury living quarters. Most casinos also have comp programs that reward frequent patrons with points, which they can redeem for cash or free merchandise.

Casinos make money by charging a commission on bets, known as the vig or rake. This is typically a small percentage of the total bets, but over time it can add up to substantial profits for the casinos. In addition, casinos often make use of the psychological effects of color and light to encourage gambling. For example, the bright colors of casino walls and floor coverings are thought to stimulate gamblers and make them lose track of time.