A casino is a facility for certain types of gambling. These facilities are sometimes combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. In addition to gambling, casinos may also offer live entertainment and events.
In the United States, casino gambling is a major industry. There are more than 2,147 licensed and regulated casinos and gambling cities in the country. The world’s largest casino is in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its name is derived from the Latin word cazino, meaning “small country house.” The first modern American casino was built in Atlantic City in 1978, and during the 1980s casinos began to appear on various Native American reservations, bypassing state anti-gambling laws.
The most common games in a casino are card games, such as blackjack and poker. Other popular games include roulette, craps, and slot machines. Some casinos also have keno and bingo rooms. Sports betting is another popular activity at many casinos.
Due to the large amounts of money handled within casinos, security is a major concern. To protect patrons and staff, casinos employ a variety of security measures. These can include security cameras, bodyguards, and electronic surveillance systems. In addition, some casinos have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down on the activities of the tables and slot machines through one-way glass. Despite these precautions, cheating and theft are still a concern. In order to combat these problems, many casinos have specialized departments that are dedicated to the fight against these activities.