A casino, or casino, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Some casinos are stand-alone facilities, while others are integrated into hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. Casinos vary by jurisdiction, but most are highly regulated. Casinos are also known for hosting live entertainment events, such as concerts and comedy shows.

Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia. Archeologists have found evidence of dice games in China dating back to 2300 BC, and the game we now know as blackjack first appeared around 1600 AD. Modern casinos have much more sophisticated security measures. Elaborate surveillance systems offer a high-tech “eye-in-the-sky” that allows security workers to watch every table, window and doorway from a control room. These cameras can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons by security personnel, who also monitor slot machine payouts.

Given the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or on their own. In addition to security cameras, many casinos use gaming mathematicians and computer programmers to analyze the odds of various casino games and suggest strategies for players.

Casinos are popular tourist attractions in cities such as Las Vegas, Nevada; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Macau, China. The popularity of these destinations has led to the proliferation of casinos throughout the United States and the world. Many American Indian tribes have opened casinos on their reservations, and several states changed their laws in the 1980s to permit casinos.