A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. Some casinos also host live entertainment such as concerts and sports events. In addition to gaming tables and machines, some casinos feature luxury amenities such as spas and fitness centers.

In the United States, casinos are regulated by state law and operate as private businesses. Approximately 40 states have legalized casinos, with the most prominent being Las Vegas, Nevada. The number of casinos is growing steadily, as more states seek to pass laws allowing them.

Although casinos are primarily places for gambling, they have become increasingly popular tourist attractions in their own right. The Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, for example, attracts people from all over the world who come to soak up the atmosphere and try their luck at a game of roulette or poker. Other famous casinos include those at Baden-Baden, Estoril, and Corfu.

While most gamblers are honest, some are not and may attempt to cheat or steal money from the house. Because of this, casinos employ many security measures to deter such behavior. Video cameras are common throughout casinos, and the games themselves are routinely monitored for statistical deviations from expected results. Some casinos also use special chips with integrated microcircuitry that communicate with electronic systems to record exactly how much is wagered minute-by-minute, and others have automated roulette wheels that are constantly monitored for anomalies.