A casino is a gambling establishment. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Casinos feature gaming tables, such as blackjack and roulette, and slot machines. Some casinos also have live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy or concerts.

While casinos have been around for hundreds of years, they’ve become much more elaborate in recent decades. Casinos can be found in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Monte Carlo, and other popular vacation destinations, as well as in cities around the world. Casinos are primarily run by private companies, although some government-owned enterprises also operate some.

In 2008, about 24% of American adults reported visiting a casino in the previous year, according to Roper Reports GfK NOP and TNS. Those numbers are up significantly from the 20% who visited in 1989.

The growth of the casino industry has been driven by technological advances in gambling and a growing middle class with discretionary incomes. In addition to specialized security cameras, computers monitor games for cheating and other irregularities; betting chips with microcircuitry allow casinos to track exactly how much money is being wagered minute by minute; and automated roulette wheels and dice can be electronically monitored to discover any statistical deviations from expected results.

In order to maximize gambling revenue, casinos focus on customer service and offer perks to frequent gamblers. These perks, known as comps, can include free hotel rooms, food, shows, and even airline tickets and limo service for large spenders.