A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming hall, is an establishment that allows patrons to gamble. Many casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and/or cruise ships. They may also offer other attractions, such as live entertainment, to attract patrons.
In the United States, casinos are regulated by state law and are licensed by local jurisdictions. Casinos are a key component of the economy in some states, such as Nevada, where gaming revenues account for 40 percent of state tax revenue. Casinos are typically open 24 hours a day and accept bets from patrons of legal age.
Gambling games in casinos vary by region, but many are universally popular. The most common games include blackjack, roulette, and poker. Some casinos also offer baccarat, craps, and poker tournaments. In addition to these classics, some casinos specialize in regional fare such as sic bo (which became popular in European casinos during the 1990s), fan-tan, or pai gow.
In the modern era, casinos have become technologically advanced. Several casinos employ “chip tracking,” which utilizes built-in microcircuitry to allow the casino to monitor exactly how much each patron is betting minute by minute; electronic monitoring also allows a casino to spot quickly any statistical deviation from expected results. Some casinos also use catwalks, which allow surveillance personnel to look down directly on table games and slot machines from above. These technologies have drastically increased the security of casino gambling in recent years.
