A casino, or gambling establishment, is a place where people can gamble on games of chance. Casinos offer a variety of casino games, including roulette, blackjack, craps, and slot machines. They also often feature sports betting and horse racing. Some casinos are known for their luxurious decor and atmosphere, while others focus on high-stakes gambling. Some are even renowned as tourist destinations.

Modern casinos are designed to be secure and have numerous security measures in place. These include a physical security force, and specialized surveillance departments. Security staff monitor the casino floor through closed-circuit television. They also patrol the grounds, and can look directly down on the activities of players through one-way glass from catwalks above the tables.

While casinos have been around for centuries, they became more common in the mid-20th century. Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, and Las Vegas quickly emerged as a world-class destination for tourists and players alike. New Jersey followed suit in 1978, and Atlantic City now has several casinos and a thriving tourism industry. In addition, tribal casinos opened in the 1980s and 1990s, and some states amended their anti-gambling laws to allow them. Today, there are over 40 states with legalized casinos.