A casino is an entertainment complex featuring various gambling activities. The most famous casinos are in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, although they are also found in many other cities and states. Casinos make billions of dollars each year for the corporations, investors, and Native American tribes that own them. In addition, state and local governments collect taxes and fees from casino patrons.

The word casino is a French derivation of the Latin word cazino, which means “little house.” In addition to providing a place to gamble, casinos often provide other amenities like restaurants and shows. The noise and bright lights of a casino create an atmosphere that is intended to stimulate the senses and excite the patrons. Alcohol is often served and consumed in casinos, and nonalcoholic drinks are available as well. Casinos are often designed around themes of excitement, mystery, and glamour.

Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with one another or independently. Therefore, casinos spend a lot of time and money on security measures. These include video surveillance in all areas of the casino and restricted access to some areas. In addition, casinos often hire professional gamblers to watch the games and alert management of any suspicious activity.

Many casinos employ a variety of other tricks to keep their patrons gambling for as long as possible. They offer free food and drink, which keeps people hydrated and can cause them to lose track of how much they are losing. They also use chips instead of cash, which changes the way people think about their losses and gains. The use of chips also allows the casino to keep track of how much money is coming in and out.