A casino is a gambling establishment that houses various games of chance and offers customers the opportunity to gamble. Casinos offer a variety of entertainment, dining and luxury amenities to attract and keep customers. Unlike other forms of gambling, such as lotteries or Internet gambling, casino games involve interaction between players and between players and the house. Casinos usually include a mix of games, including traditional table games such as blackjack and poker, video poker and slot machines. They also feature far Eastern games such as sic bo, fan-tan and pai gow.

Although a casino is primarily an entertainment venue, it is still a business and must therefore generate profits. Most casinos earn money by charging patrons an “advantage” on the games, which can vary from game to game but are typically lower than two percent of bets placed. This advantage is known as the house edge. The casino may also earn extra income from the sale of drinks and food to patrons, as well as through a percentage of winning bets called the rake.

In addition to the obvious financial benefits, casinos provide employment and tax revenue. They also support local charities and businesses. However, some critics argue that the social costs of compulsive gambling outweigh any economic benefits. For example, problem gambling hurts property values in local housing markets and causes other problems. Some people who play in casinos become addicted, generating disproportionately large profits for the casino and causing harm to the community.