A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. The word is a portmanteau of two Spanish words, a casa and a cazino. In modern usage it is almost always a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. It may be combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are operated by government-sanctioned gambling organizations.
The most common games in a casino are slot machines, poker, blackjack, and craps. Other popular games include bingo and keno. Some casinos also have a sports book. Some have a large variety of table games, including baccarat, sic bo, and fan-tan.
In the United States, there are more than 1,000 casinos. Many state governments regulate and tax gaming activity. A small number of countries have legalized casinos completely. Many American Indian reservations have casinos on their lands.
Security is a major concern for casinos. Most have cameras and other surveillance equipment. Employees monitor gamblers, and can spot cheating or other suspicious behavior. They may also note betting patterns that indicate a pattern of collusion or other forms of cheating. Typically, the pit boss or manager oversees table games and can take action to stop cheating at the tables. Casinos often use bright and sometimes gaudy decorations to encourage customers to spend more money. Some use the color red to stimulate the emotions and make gamblers feel happy. They may also have music playing in the background.