A casino is a large gambling pavilion or room where people can come to gamble, drink, watch shows (sometimes on closed-circuit television) and, sometimes, even win money. Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of dice and playing cards has been found as early as 2300 BC, and games like baccarat and blackjack have become staples at casinos worldwide.

Although a casino is often associated with seedy backroom gambling parlors, the vast majority of casinos are legal businesses that provide a safe and secure environment for their patrons. Casinos hire security guards, monitor their parking lots, and take steps to prevent violent crime from affecting their guests. In addition, many casinos have restaurants and entertainment venues that offer a variety of cultural and recreational activities in addition to gambling.

The primary goal of a casino is to make profit by encouraging gambling game players to spend their money repeatedly for the chance of winning. The design of a casino should encourage game play and support the goals of the business. Traditional casinos have maze-like layouts with tightly packed arrangements of games and purposefully obscured exits to encourage gambling. In addition, they have dark color schemes and low ceilings to block out the outside world. A modern casino, however, may have a more welcoming design with clearer directions to exits and windows in the gaming area. Some casinos also use scented oils to create a euphoric environment that makes people want to stay and gamble.