A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Its customers may bet with coins or paper tickets referred to as “chips.” Casinos often offer entertainment shows and are located near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos specialize in specific games, such as baccarat or roulette. Most countries have legalized casinos, and many have regulated them to some extent. In the United States, there are 39 state-licensed commercial casinos. In addition to Las Vegas, a number of American Indian reservations have casinos.
A number of people attempt to cheat or steal from casinos, either in collusion with others or by themselves. To prevent this, most casinos have security measures in place. These range from cameras to specially trained staff. The large amount of money handled within a casino makes it a target for thieves, both inside and outside the facility. Consequently, casinos must make security a high priority.
Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia, with evidence dating back to 2300 B.C. Chinese dice and the Roman game of baccarat were some of the first forms of modern casino gaming, followed by the European games of roulette and card games in the 1400s. In the modern era, casino gambling has become an industry that supports several million jobs in cities and around the world. Some casinos are built in iconic destinations, such as the Bellagio in Las Vegas or the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. Others are famous for their luxurious design, including the Mauro Codussi-designed Casino di Venezia in Venice.