What Is a Casino?

A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Its name derives from the Latin word for “house.” Casinos are typically built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are operated by government-licensed organizations. Others are privately owned and operated. Some casinos host entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy shows or concerts. A casino is also a place where people can try their hand at various card games, including poker and blackjack.

In addition to offering traditional games like poker, blackjack, and roulette, some casinos specialize in specific regional games. Asian casinos, for example, often offer games such as sic bo (which spread to European and American casinos in the 1990s), fan-tan, and pai gow. Some casinos also employ croupiers to conduct table games, and some have automated systems for roulette and dice.

Because of the large amounts of money handled in a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal. Attempts to do so are usually foiled by security measures that include surveillance cameras located throughout the casino.

Casinos are carefully designed to influence their visitors’ behavior. For example, Roger Thomas’s style of casino design uses a playground theme and windowless spaces to make players feel at home and keep them playing for hours on end. This style also encourages gamblers to keep coming back, even if they lose money. Some casinos also use scented oils to create a manufactured blissful experience that keeps people from leaving.