A casino is a place where people can gamble, usually by buying chips. It may also include other entertainment, such as stage shows and restaurants. Casinos are legal in most states, and some are very large. The most famous casinos are in Nevada and Atlantic City, though there are many more elsewhere.

Although gambling certainly predates recorded history, the modern casino did not develop until the 16th century. Prior to this, casinos were often private clubs for rich people, known as ridotti. Although technically illegal, these gambling houses were rarely bothered by the authorities.

Today, casinos are huge facilities that house multiple types of gambling activities. They offer a wide variety of games, including slot machines, table games, and more. They often are built near or combined with hotels, resorts, and other tourist attractions. They also can include retail shops and other commercial businesses.

There are also a number of different security measures in place to prevent cheating and stealing by patrons and employees. This includes a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. Some casinos also have catwalks above the gaming floor that allow surveillance personnel to look down, through one-way glass, on the tables and slot machines.

Despite the high level of security, cheating and theft do occur in casinos. Some casinos use a system called chip tracking, which tracks betting patterns and warns employees when a player is acting suspiciously. Others employ a less obvious method, such as eliminating windows and removing clocks from the casino floors, to make it harder for players to realize how long they’ve been gambling.