A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. They are also known for hosting live entertainment, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sports. In some countries, the term casino is used to refer to a public gaming house.

In modern times, casinos are often built on or near the waterfront and are often surrounded by water. This creates a unique atmosphere that is often featured in movies, television shows, and novels. A casino may be built in a luxurious hotel or integrated into a larger resort complex with other amenities such as a spa, restaurants, and shopping centers.

Something about casinos seems to encourage people to cheat and steal, probably because the amount of money involved is so huge. That is why casinos spend a lot of time, energy and money on security. They have to if they want to stay in business.

Most modern casinos use chips instead of cash. This has several advantages. First, it psychologically makes people think they are not playing with real money, so they tend to gamble more. Second, it is much easier for surveillance to detect shady activity when dealing with chips rather than actual bills. Third, many people forget to cash in their chips or take them home, which is pure profit for the casino.

In addition to security, casinos have to worry about keeping their customers happy and entertained. They often hire big name entertainers and pay smaller acts to play throughout the day. They also have to deal with food and drink issues since they are open 24 hours a day.