A casino is a place where people gamble by playing games of chance, and in some cases with an element of skill. The games usually involve betting with cash or casino chips. Some casinos also offer other forms of gambling, such as video poker. The odds of winning or losing are determined by the house, which takes a commission (called rake) from players. Casinos are usually licensed and regulated by the government. Some are owned by private individuals, while others are owned by groups of people or businesses.

The word casino derives from the Italian phrase casona, meaning “cloister” or “inclosure.” In modern use it refers to a building that houses a variety of gambling activities. It may be luxurious, as in Las Vegas, or it may be less so, such as the Casino de Ibiza on the island of Ibiza.

Many casinos have security measures in place to protect their customers and property. These often include cameras and secure entrances. Some have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look down on players from above.

In the past, many casinos were run by organized crime figures who used the profits from their illegal rackets to finance their operations. This money came from drug dealing, extortion, and other crimes. The mafia’s involvement in casinos gave them a seamy reputation, which has sometimes made legitimate businessmen reluctant to get involved. As the popularity of gambling grew, however, the mafia’s interest in the casinos diminished, and the casino industry became more legitimized.