Casino is a place where gambling-related activities are performed. The term is often used to refer specifically to a place where poker, blackjack and roulette are played, but it can include other games as well. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions and feature a wide range of gambling-related entertainment.

In addition to gambling, some casinos also offer stage shows and dramatic scenery. Some are famous for their spectacular architecture, while others have a reputation for surface decadence. The modern casino is like a large indoor amusement park for adults, with the vast majority of the entertainment provided by slot machines, black jack, roulette, craps and keno.

There is much debate over the social and economic impact of casino gambling. Some people argue that the increased revenue generated by a casino has a positive effect on local businesses, while others contend that compulsive gambling hurts families and communities and that the costs of treating problem gamblers offset any economic gains.

The earliest casinos were built in Nevada, where gambling was legal. Owners recognized that they could attract tourists from all over the United States by offering a variety of casino-related entertainment. They also realized that they could capitalize on the growing number of Americans who were traveling to Las Vegas and other popular destinations to gamble. Eventually, other states realized that they could reap the same financial benefits by legalizing gambling and opening their own casinos.