A casino, or gambling establishment, is a place where people can gamble and win money. Casinos offer a wide variety of games, including slots, table games, and card games, such as blackjack and poker. Most games have mathematically determined odds that give the house an advantage over the players, which is expressed as the house edge. Some casinos also offer games that have an element of skill, such as craps and roulette.

In the United States, the largest casino is in Las Vegas, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. In recent years, casinos have opened on American Indian reservations and in other locations outside of Nevada.

Many casinos are themed, with elaborate decor and a range of entertainment options. They may feature musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers, and lavish hotels. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for example, is famous for its dancing water fountains and has been featured in several movies, most notably in the James Bond films Golden Eye and Never Say Never Again and in Eugene Levy’s film Ocean’s 11.

Like other businesses that handle large amounts of cash, casinos are susceptible to theft and fraud. Security measures are therefore important, and casinos use surveillance cameras to monitor all areas of the facility at all times. They have specialized departments that investigate any suspicious or criminal activity. They may also have an employee hotline that patrons can call if they feel threatened or uncomfortable. Some casinos also have catwalks in the ceiling that allow personnel to look down on gamblers at the tables and slot machines through one-way glass.