A casino or gambling house is an establishment where people can place bets on games of chance. Casinos can be found in many countries around the world. Many are large resorts with hotels, restaurants, non-gambling games, shops and other attractions. Some casinos feature a wide variety of games, while others specialize in one or more types of gambling.
A number of states have legalized casino gaming, though some still ban it entirely. Most modern casinos are heavily regulated and are built in such a way as to prevent cheating. Most have security staff to monitor patrons for blatant cheating or other violations of the rules. Casinos also use surveillance cameras to monitor the floor for unusual activity.
Casino gambling has a social aspect, in which players interact directly with other gamblers, as in blackjack and craps. There is usually a lot of noise, light and excitement. Drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, are readily available. Something about gambling (probably the presence of large amounts of money) encourages some people to cheat, steal and scam their way into a jackpot, so casinos spend much time and effort on security.
In the United States, most casino gambling is in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Las Vegas; and on American Indian reservations, where it is not subject to state antigambling laws. There are also casinos in Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and a few other nations. In Europe, casinos are often located in or near resorts and are built in such a way as attract tourists.
