A casino is a gambling establishment where people can play a variety of games of chance for money or other prizes. It is also a popular place to relax and enjoy entertainment shows. The games played in casinos include slot machines, table games (like poker and blackjack), and card games like baccarat. Most casinos require players to be of legal age to gamble and to follow the rules and regulations of the facility.
Casinos may be located in many different places. In the United States, legal casinos can be found in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and on American Indian reservations that are exempt from state laws regulating gambling. In the 1980s, casinos began appearing on cruise ships and in some foreign countries.
In addition to providing a range of gaming activities, a modern casino often has restaurants and bars and offers other amenities such as nightclubs and spas. Some casinos also offer sports betting. These facilities are usually supervised by a separate department.
Because large amounts of money are handled within a casino, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. For this reason, most casinos have extensive security measures, including cameras and other electronic monitoring systems. Casinos also employ a number of staff who are trained to spot suspicious or criminal activity.