A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It is sometimes combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise ships, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. In the United States, about 51 million people—a group equivalent to a quarter of the country’s population over 21—visited casinos in 2002.

The casino is a major source of revenue for many governments. It is a form of legalized gambling and is subject to laws regulating its conduct. In the United States, it is regulated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies. In other countries, it is regulated by state law. Casinos also may be operated by private individuals or organizations.

Most casinos offer a variety of games, including blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. They also offer video poker and other games like craps and keno. Some even have a sports book where bettors can place bets on various sporting events.

A casino’s security is a key concern. To protect patrons, they employ a number of technological and other measures. These include cameras, electronic monitoring systems, and other devices. In addition, casinos use rules and policies to prevent cheating and other violations of their gaming licenses.

While many people associate casinos with Las Vegas, they can be found all over the world. For example, the Hippodrome in London was built over a century ago and originally opened as a theater. It has since been repurposed into a massive casino and is considered one of the most famous casinos in Europe.