A casino is a place where people can play games of chance for money. These games are usually regulated by law. A casino can also offer food and drinks to its customers. Some casinos even have entertainment shows. Casinos must be licensed to operate and may be subject to inspection by the government. To avoid getting caught, it is important to follow the rules of each casino.

A modern casino typically has a security department that includes physical security personnel and specialized surveillance. This security department works closely with the players to prevent theft or cheating. The large amount of currency handled by a casino makes it easy for both patrons and staff to steal. In some cases, a casino may hire private security contractors to assist with security.

Historically, many casinos were run by the mafia. However, real estate developers and hotel chains with deep pockets bought out the mob to make way for more legitimate casino businesses. Now, with the threat of losing a license at even the slightest hint of mob involvement, most casino businesses keep the mob out of their gambling establishments. Nevertheless, casinos still have to follow strict state and federal regulations to remain licensed.