A casino is a building or room where people can gamble. Casinos are most often found in hotels, gaming establishments, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos also have restaurant and retail shops. In some countries, laws prohibit gambling or limit the types of games available. Casinos are operated by a wide variety of companies, including local governments, Indian tribes, and private businesses.

Some of the most famous casinos in the world are found in Las Vegas. The Bellagio, for example, has become renowned for its dancing fountains and luxurious accommodations, making it an attractive destination for high-stakes gamblers. The movie Ocean’s 11 added some Hollywood glamour and further cemented the casino’s status as a must-visit attraction for travelers.

There are more than 1,000 casinos in the United States and hundreds more around the world. They vary greatly in size and style, from large resorts like the Venetian in Macau to small neighborhood establishments. Many offer a combination of table games, slot machines, and poker rooms. Some even host top-notch live entertainment, with past acts including Frank Sinatra and Elton John.

Gambling has been part of human culture for millennia, with records of betting and gambling in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. Modern casinos were introduced in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1978 and on American Indian reservations in the 1980s, where they were not subject to state antigambling laws. During the 1990s, casinos dramatically increased their use of technology to monitor games and improve security. For instance, chips with built-in microcircuitry allow casinos to oversee the exact amount wagered minute by minute and to quickly discover any anomaly; roulette wheels are electronically monitored to detect any statistical deviation from their expected results.