A casino is a gambling establishment, a place where people can try their luck at games of chance. The most famous casinos are found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, but there are many more scattered throughout the world. They range from lavish resorts to smaller neighborhood joints. Some casinos specialize in specific types of games, while others offer a wide variety of options.

Generally, casinos are places of high-end entertainment, and the cost of a visit can vary greatly depending on the type of experience you’re looking for. Generally speaking, though, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a budget trip to several thousand for a luxury experience.

Some casinos focus on particular games, such as baccarat or blackjack, while others offer a more diverse selection. In most cases, these games have some element of skill, but the house has a mathematically determined advantage over players (which can be calculated using the notion of expected value) and earns money through a commission called the rake.

Some casinos also provide live entertainment, including musical performances and stand-up comedy acts. In some cases, these performances are included in the admission price, while other times they are available for an additional fee. Due to the large amounts of cash that are handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently; as such, most casinos take extensive security measures.