A casino is a building or room where people can play gambling games. People often use the word to refer to a specific place, although some casinos are also called “hotels”. The term is a portmanteau of the Latin phrase caesares, meaning “wheel” or “game”. There are many kinds of casino games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and poker. Some casinos also have sports betting and horse racing.

Casinos are generally designed to make money for the owners by creating an environment in which people spend more than they win. They do this by limiting access to the games, requiring players to pay for food and drink, and employing rules and strategies that reduce the house edge. Casinos may also offer entertainment such as concerts and shows.

The casino industry is regulated by law and supervised by gaming control boards. In the United States, most casinos are licensed and regulated by state governments. Some states have banned casino gambling, but others allow it in a few jurisdictions within the state. In addition, some Native American tribes operate casinos on their reservations. In the 1980s, Atlantic City, New Jersey became a major casino destination and encouraged other states to legalize gambling.

In the past, casinos were financed by organized crime figures who wanted to launder money. They provided the capital, and in return received sole or partial ownership of the casinos. The mafia’s involvement gave casinos a reputation for being illegal, and led to them being avoided by legitimate businessmen. Today, casinos are more likely to be financed by local businessmen and investors.