What Is a Casino?

A casino is a gambling establishment that offers various forms of gambling, including slot machines and table games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette. The facility typically requires patrons to be of legal age to gamble and adhere to the rules and regulations set by the establishment. Casinos may also offer entertainment shows and other amenities such as restaurants and bars.

In the United States, casinos are most often found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. However, in the late 20th century, more states began to legalize gambling, and some of these casinos expanded beyond their original locations. Currently, the state of Nevada alone hosts over 60 percent of all casino gambling in the United States.

While lighted fountains, musical shows, and lavish hotels help attract visitors, the billions of dollars in profits that casinos rake in each year come mostly from games of chance. Slot machines, baccarat, keno, blackjack, and craps account for the majority of the money a casino makes.

Despite the high profits, casinos face problems with theft and cheating. The sheer amount of currency handled within a casino makes it susceptible to robbery and theft, whether in collusion between staff members or by individuals acting independently. To counter these threats, casinos implement various security measures. These include a network of cameras, which are capable of watching every table and window simultaneously. The cameras are controlled by a room filled with security monitors, and they can be focused on specific suspicious patrons.