A casino, also known as a gambling house, is a type of public building or room where people can take part in certain types of gambling. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. They may also offer live entertainment such as concerts and stand-up comedy. Some casinos specialize in specific types of gambling, such as poker or baccarat.
A small number of casinos have a skill element to their games, and players with sufficient skills can eliminate the inherent long-term advantage of the casino (the house edge or vigorish) and make short-term profits. Such players are sometimes referred to as “advantage players.” Casinos use computers to analyze game results and track player data, and employ mathematicians to calculate odds.
Casinos are most commonly found in cities with large populations, such as Las Vegas, Nevada; Macau, China; and Atlantic City, New Jersey. In the United States, some casinos are located on American Indian reservations and are not subject to state antigambling laws. During the 1990s, a great expansion of casino gambling occurred, and many states legalized casinos. Casinos are often heavily promoted to tourists, and the industry is regulated and taxed by government agencies. In some jurisdictions, access to casinos is age-restricted. For example, in the United States, the minimum legal age to gamble is 21. In other countries, the age restriction is less severe. The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, was a playground for European royalty and the aristocracy 150 years ago, and the casino there is among the most beautiful in the world.