A casino, or gambling house, is a place where people can play various games of chance for money. These include slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and poker. Casinos can also offer food and drinks. Some casinos are combined with hotels, shopping centers, and other tourist attractions. Some are known for their celebrity hosts and entertainment.

Modern casinos look like indoor amusement parks for adults, but the billions in profits they rake in each year come from games of chance. While lighted fountains, stage shows, and themed rooms help lure customers, casinos would not exist without the games themselves—the clinking of coins in slot machines, cheers at poker tables, and shuffling of cards.

While the majority of casinos are located in Nevada, they are spreading across the United States and beyond. Native American casinos have been particularly successful in drawing visitors from distant states, and they are expanding rapidly. In addition, many European countries legalized casinos in the 20th century.

Because large amounts of money are handled within a casino, staff and patrons may be tempted to cheat and steal. To prevent this, casinos employ a variety of security measures. For example, cameras are used throughout a casino to monitor activities. In addition, casino employees are trained to spot suspicious activity. Finally, most casinos require that players keep their hands visible at all times when playing card games. This prevents them from hiding cards under their jacket or sleeves.