A casino is a gambling establishment where people can take chances on games of chance for money or other rewards. Gambling has a long history and was practiced by many ancient civilizations. Modern casinos are usually large buildings with a wide variety of gambling games, and some offer accommodations and other amenities. They may also feature restaurants, bars, and other entertainment. The United States has the most casinos in the world, followed by Romania and then the Czech Republic and Spain.

Casinos are regulated by state and local laws, and their staff is trained to observe and report illegal behavior. In addition to traditional security measures, they employ technology to monitor game play. For example, ‘chip tracking’ allows the house to supervise betting chips with built-in microcircuitry; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover any statistical deviation from their expected results; and video cameras watch over gaming tables. A small number of casinos have employees whose job it is to make mathematically accurate estimates of game outcomes, known as gaming mathematicians or gaming analysts.

Many famous casinos are renowned for their elegance, sophistication, or other special features. For example, the Bellagio in Las Vegas is known for its dazzling fountain show and luxurious accommodations, and it has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows. Caesars Palace, another legendary casino, is famous for its Roman-themed architecture and star-studded entertainment; the list of performers who have played there includes Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Elton John, and Dolly Parton.