A casino is a gambling establishment, with table games like roulette and blackjack, as well as slot machines and poker. These establishments generate billions of dollars in revenue for the companies, investors, and native American tribes that own them. They also bring in people from all over the world to gamble and play games. Casinos can be found in massive resorts, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, or in small card rooms. In addition to a wide range of games, casinos have restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues.

The term casino has been used in the sense of a gaming hall for many centuries, and its history is closely linked to that of modern gambling. The first documented use of the word was in 1640, in a reference to a game played with counters and pebbles in Sweden. It appears in paintings of the era, including The Cardsharps by Caravaggio and The Triumph of Death by Bruegel the Elder.

In the 19th century, a casino was any building where a variety of games were played, especially those where the outcome depended on chance. A casino might also be a place where dancing was permitted, and this is probably the origin of the name of the French city of Cannes, which has long been known as a center for pleasure gambling.

In the twentieth century, casinos became more specialized, with some specializing in different types of gambling and others offering high-end accommodations or gourmet dining. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, is considered one of the best casinos in the world, with its opulent poker rooms and glitzy slot machines. The casino in Ibiza, Spain, attracts tourists and poker professionals with its upscale amenities and glamorous setting.