A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Most casinos are built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail stores, and other tourist attractions. In the United States, casinos are often licensed and regulated by state governments. Casinos are also commonly found in riverboats and on American Indian reservations, as they are excluded from state laws prohibiting gambling.

A modern casino is equipped with a variety of security measures to prevent unauthorized entry and other crimes. These measures include a physical security force, as well as specialized surveillance departments. In addition, modern casinos employ a wide range of computerized systems to monitor activity within the casino. For example, some casinos use “chip tracking,” a system that records the amounts of money wagered by players in games such as blackjack and roulette, or “roulette wheels” that are electronically monitored for statistical deviations.

In addition to their security functions, casinos are also known for providing entertainment in the form of live shows and tournaments. Many of these events are broadcast over the internet. In some cases, a casino will hire an outside company to manage and market these activities.

The best-known casino in the world is probably the Bellagio in Las Vegas, famous for its dancing fountains and luxury accommodations. But there are many other renowned casinos, from the Monte Carlo in Monaco to the Casino Baden-Baden in Germany.