A casino is a gambling establishment that provides games of chance and accepts bets made on those games. Modern casinos offer a variety of entertainment options, such as stage shows, shopping centers, restaurants and lavish hotels in addition to gambling. The profits from these activities give casinos billions of dollars in annual revenue. Casinos can be found in large resorts built exclusively for this purpose, or they may be located on a barge or ship that cruises the waters. In addition, they can be found at racetracks in the form of racinos and on Native American reservations.

The games that are played at casinos vary, but most of them involve dice, cards and some form of betting. Slot machines are the most popular with their many themes and bonus features, including progressive jackpots and free spins. Table games such as poker, blackjack and roulette are also widely played. Some casinos even have Far Eastern games, such as sic bo (which became a popular game in European and American casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan and pai gow.

Casinos must contend with a variety of security issues. In addition to the usual security guards, some casinos employ sophisticated electronic surveillance systems that monitor every table, window and doorway. These systems have the advantage of providing an “eye-in-the-sky” view that allows operators to focus on suspicious patrons. Some casinos also have rules requiring that large bettors be kept away from other players; this prevents cheating or bribing to manipulate the outcome of a game.