A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming house, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and entertainment venues. In some countries, casinos are licensed and regulated by government authorities. Other countries have a mixture of legalized and unlicensed establishments. In the United States, there are both federally-licensed and state-regulated casinos.

A modern casino is a complex enterprise that offers a wide range of games, such as blackjack, roulette, craps, and slot machines. Some casinos offer video poker and keno, as well as sports betting. The casino industry is highly competitive, and as such, casinos employ a number of security measures to protect their patrons and assets. These security measures include the use of CCTV, security officers, and surveillance technology.

Gambling has been a part of human civilization for millennia. Its precise origin is unknown, but it is widely believed to have evolved from simple card games and dice. Some of the earliest casinos were found in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. The Monte Carlo Casino, built in 1863, is one of the world’s oldest and most famous casinos. It has featured in numerous films and books, including the Ben Mezrich book Busting Vegas, where a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students beat the casino out of nearly $1 million.

The most well-known casinos in the world are located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The hotel and casino Caesars Palace, designed by architect Jay Samo, is known for its Roman-themed architecture and star-studded entertainment. The list of entertainers who have appeared at the resort includes Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Dolly Parton.