A casino is a gambling establishment where people can gamble on games of chance or skill. The most famous examples of casinos are in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Many states have legalized casinos, and they are a major source of income for cities and towns. Casinos can be large buildings or a series of rooms.
The earliest evidence for the noun casino is from before 1701, in the writings of John Dryden. The word is derived from Italian, meaning “public hall.” The most popular game in casinos is poker. The popularity of the game has led to the growth of a number of different variants, including video poker and baccarat.
Casinos can be regulated by state laws and gaming control boards/commissions. They often employ security and surveillance systems to prevent unauthorized entry and other violations of rules and regulations. In addition, modern casinos frequently use technology to monitor and supervise the games themselves. For example, betting chips with microcircuitry allow casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and quickly discover statistical deviations from expected results; and roulette wheels are electronically monitored for anomalies.
Casinos also offer a variety of restaurants and bars, from gourmet to buffet-style dining. They may also have entertainment venues featuring top artists and local acts, karaoke, arcades, rooftop pools and water slides. In some cases, casino resorts include golf courses, spas and shopping. People can visit a casino to gamble, but they cannot play if they are not of legal age or appear on a state or casino self-exclusion list.