A casino is an establishment for gambling. Some casinos specialize in certain types of gambling, such as baccarat or roulette. Others offer a wide range of games and entertainment, including musical shows, restaurants, shopping, and hotels. In some countries, casinos are regulated by law. Others are not, and are known as illegal gambling establishments.
Although lighted fountains, elaborate themes and lavish hotels help draw visitors, casinos would not exist without the billions of dollars in profits that come from games of chance like slot machines, blackjack, poker, craps, keno and baccarat. This article looks at how casinos make their money, some of the history behind them, what you could expect if you visited one and how they keep patrons safe. In addition to high-tech surveillance systems, casinos rely on social distancing, rules of conduct and behavior, and even physical security measures to deter cheating, theft and violence.