A casino, also known as a gaming hall or a gambling establishment, is a place where people can gamble. The games that can be played in a casino are mostly games of chance, although there are some that have a skill element to them. Casinos make money by taking a percentage of the bets placed on their games, called the house edge. Some casinos also take a flat fee, called the vigorish, from some players.

In many countries, gambling is regulated by law. Some casinos are operated by the government, while others are independent. In the United States, casinos are regulated by the Nevada Gaming Control Board and are subject to taxation. Casinos are popular destinations for tourists, and some have become landmarks in their own right. The MGM Grand on the Las Vegas strip is one such example. It is famous for its poker rooms but also attracts sports betting fans thanks to 60 large plasma TVs where you can watch American football, boxing and other events.

Despite their popularity, casinos are not without risk. Because large amounts of cash are handled within the facility, security measures are in place to protect patrons and staff. These include security cameras, which monitor activity around the gambling floor. In addition to the cameras, casinos employ a variety of other methods for monitoring their patrons. These include checking IDs, and requiring players to keep their cards visible at all times during card games.