A casino is a building that houses a variety of gambling games. It also provides entertainment and social interaction for its patrons, and may offer freebies and comps to frequent gamblers. In addition, casinos contribute to local economies through taxes, job creation, and tourism.

A patron might walk into a Las Vegas casino brimming with confidence, a wallet full of cash and the intention to have a couple rounds of drinks and a fun night of gambling. Hours later, he or she may leave with no idea what time it is or what happened to the money they started with. Beneath the veneer of twinkly lights and free cocktails, casinos are built on a bedrock of mathematics, engineered to slowly bleed their patrons of cash. For years mathematically inclined minds have tried to turn the tables, using knowledge of probability and game theory to exploit weaknesses in what they see as a rigged system.

Many of the world’s most famous casinos are located in cities such as Venice, Macau, and Monte Carlo. Others are located in the United States, particularly Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Atlantic City. The term casino is also used to refer to a particular game, such as roulette or blackjack.

Martin Scorsese’s Casino is a riveting crime drama about the corruption and violence that permeated the mob-run gambling empire of Las Vegas in the 1980s. It is a tale of greed, treachery, and murder that manages to hold the audience’s attention throughout its epic three-hour running time.