A casino is a place where people can gamble on games of chance or skill. It may also have entertainment features such as restaurants, stage shows and dramatic scenery. There are casinos in Europe, Asia and South America. In the United States, Nevada is the largest casino market, followed by Atlantic City and New Jersey. Other large casino markets include Iowa and Native American reservations. Casinos are designed to appeal to people who like noise, bright lights and excitement.

Gambling has been a part of human society for millennia. Archeological evidence of dice has been found dating back to 2300 BC, and playing cards appeared in Europe in the 1400s. Modern casino design tries to maximize profits by appealing to gamblers’ senses. More than 15,000 miles of neon tubing are used to light up the Las Vegas Strip. Many casinos offer free drinks and meals to lure in customers. The lighting and sounds are designed to create a mood that is exciting but not overwhelming.

Most casino games have mathematically determined odds that give the house an advantage over the players. This advantage is called the house edge or expected value. In games where there is an element of skill, such as blackjack and poker, the house takes a commission from winning hands, which is known as the rake. In addition to the house advantage, some casinos make money through other sources, such as keno and bingo. In a survey conducted by Gemini Research for the State of Nevada in 2002, respondents who acknowledged gambling activities listed slot machines as their favorite casino game.