A casino is a place where people can gamble, usually with money. Most casinos offer a variety of gambling games, and some also have restaurants, bars, and other entertainment options. Casinos can be found in many places around the world, and some are known for their glamorous atmosphere or historical significance. Others are known for their large size or unique decoration. Some are even famous for being the setting for movies or TV shows. The Bellagio in Las Vegas is perhaps the most famous casino in the world, but other contenders include the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the Casino Lisboa, and the Casino Baden-Baden.

Casinos are a big business, with billions of dollars being wagered every year. The profits from gambling help finance everything from dazzling musical shows and lighted fountains to shopping centers and luxury hotels. But the casinos would not exist without the games of chance that draw in gamblers, who play games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps to try to win big bucks.

While the origins of gambling predate recorded history, the modern casino as an institution grew out of a gambling craze in the 16th century. The aristocracy of Europe held private parties called ridotti to indulge in their passion for gambling, and the venues were known as casinos. Since then, casinos have expanded to become global enterprises. Due to the large amounts of cash handled by casinos, security is a priority. Cameras and other technological measures are in place to detect cheating and theft. Employees have a keen eye on patrons to spot suspicious betting patterns, and each table has an assigned “higher-up” who watches over the games and players for signs of collusion or impropriety.