A casino is a place where people can gamble on various games of chance. It may also offer other entertainment like stage shows and restaurants. Many casinos offer a variety of gaming options, including table games, slot machines and poker.

Some casinos are very large and elaborate, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which features a fountain show and elegant poker rooms. Other casinos, such as the one at Baden-Baden in Germany, are more modest but still offer a range of gambling opportunities.

Casinos attract visitors from all over the world. In the United States, they are mostly located in Nevada and Atlantic City, though there are many more around the country. Some states have legalized casino gambling, and many of them allow residents to play in their own state casinos.

People can be tempted to cheat or steal at a casino, either in collusion with other patrons or on their own. To prevent this, casinos employ a number of security measures. Many have cameras that monitor all parts of the casino floor, with the ability to zoom in on suspicious activity. Some have catwalks that enable surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one-way glass, on activities at specific tables or slots.

Most casinos have comp programs that offer free or discounted meals, drinks and shows to regulars. They also track patrons’ game usage and spending patterns to develop a database that can be used for marketing purposes.