A casino is a gambling establishment offering a variety of gaming opportunities. It is often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, and other entertainment venues. In addition to traditional table and slot machines, many casinos offer non-gambling attractions such as swimming pools, spas, and even theme parks. Casinos are most famous for their spectacular design and lavish amenities, but they also employ large numbers of people and provide a significant amount of revenue to local governments.

In terms of the total number of casinos, Las Vegas is by far the leader, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. Many states have banned or restricted gambling, but since the 1980s many have legalized it to attract tourists and business. Casinos can be found on American Indian reservations as well, where they are not subject to state laws.

Because of the large amounts of money involved, casino security is a major concern. Both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, in collusion or independently; most casinos have extensive security measures to prevent this. These often include armed security personnel, CCTV cameras, and door locks.

Although gambling in some form predates recorded history, the modern casino as a place to find a wide variety of ways to gamble under one roof didn’t develop until the 16th century, when a craze for the game spread from the Middle East to Europe. The modern casino combines luxury accommodations, fine dining options, and a mind-blowing number of games into one impressive package.