What Is a Casino?

A casino is an establishment for gambling. Licensed casinos are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are owned and operated by the government, while others are private businesses. Most casinos offer a wide variety of games, including blackjack, baccarat, roulette, keno, and video poker. Some have theaters for live entertainment.

Some states have laws against casino gambling, while others regulate it. In the United States, there are many states with casinos, including New Jersey and Atlantic City in the East, as well as Las Vegas in Nevada and Chicago in Illinois. In addition, Indian reservations have casinos, which are not subject to state anti-gambling laws.

Most casinos have security measures to prevent cheating and stealing, as well as guards at entrances. Many also have catwalks that allow surveillance personnel to look down on patrons from above without being seen.

Some casinos host shows and fine dining, which can be great distractions to celebrate a win or commiserate a loss. Planet Hollywood, for example, has a number of showy acts that fit its glitzy Tinsel Town theme. Its ice bar offers a refreshing respite from the Nevada heat and is situated with an impressive 200,000-gallon shark aquarium. And, of course, there’s the chance to try your luck with its 3,000 slots and 90 table games.