A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Modern casinos often combine gaming with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. In some countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by government agencies. In other cases, they are owned by private companies or social organizations and operate independently. Casinos may also host live entertainment such as concerts and sports events.
Generally, casino games are divided into three categories: gaming machines, table games, and random number games. Gaming machines, such as slot machines and pachinko, are played by one or more players and do not require the involvement of casino employees. Table games, such as blackjack and craps, are conducted by croupiers or dealers. Random number games, such as roulette and baccarat, are based on the selection of random numbers.
In the United States, there are over 1,000 casinos. Las Vegas leads the way in terms of casino gross revenue, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. Most American casinos are located on or near Native American reservations and are not subject to state anti-gambling laws.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within a casino, both patrons and staff are sometimes tempted to cheat or steal. For this reason, most casinos have stringent security measures in place. These include a physical security force and specialized surveillance departments. Surveillance personnel monitor activity in the casino through cameras placed throughout the facility, and they can also look directly down on tables and slot machines through catwalks that extend from the ceiling.