A casino is a gambling establishment that offers games of chance. These include blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, and keno. Successful casinos bring in billions of dollars a year for the owners, investors, and Native American tribes that operate them. They also generate millions in taxes for local, state, and federal governments.

To keep gamblers coming back, casinos design their environments around noise, light, and excitement. They encourage gambling by offering perks such as free hotel rooms, meals, and tickets to shows. These perks are known as comps. A good player is rewarded with these freebies, which are usually based on how much money the person bets or plays for.

The casino business depends on a mix of luck and skill, so cheating and theft are sometimes problems. Casinos use various security measures, including surveillance cameras. They have trained staff to detect and defuse tense situations. They also employ routines and patterns that make it easier for security people to spot something unusual.

Modern casinos have a huge range of amenities, from luxurious hotels and spas to high-end restaurants and entertainment venues. They also offer a wide variety of gaming options, such as baccarat and the wildly popular slot machines. Many are decorated with bright, often gaudy colors that stimulate the senses and inspire excitement. They may also have a distinctive scent. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for example, is famous for its dancing fountains and was the setting for the movie Ocean’s 11. These examples are automatically generated from online sources, and do not reflect the opinions of Merriam-Webster or its editors.