A casino is a facility for gambling. In some cases casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and shopping centers, but the core activity remains gambling. Casinos earn billions in profits each year from the millions of gamblers who visit them. While musical shows, lighted fountains and shopping centers attract customers, these casinos would not exist without games of chance. Slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and other games provide the billions of dollars in earnings that make casinos profitable.

Gambling at a casino involves an element of luck and an element of skill, and many people find themselves addicted to gambling. Those who have problem gambling must be carefully watched and controlled, as many casinos are now required to monitor the behavior of players. In addition to regular security personnel, some casinos employ high-tech monitoring systems. For example, chips with built-in microcircuitry are used in some American casinos to monitor the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and warn supervisors of any anomaly; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly for any statistical deviation from expected results.

Modern casinos are often massive complexes containing thousands of slots and other gambling machines as well as tables for games such as blackjack, poker and craps. They also feature entertainment such as concerts and stand-up comedy, and serve food and drinks. Most importantly, they offer an escape from the stress of everyday life for those with a craving for the thrill of throwing down a few chips and seeing whether fate or fortune returns them to their pockets.