A casino, also known as a gambling house or gaming establishment, is a building or room where people can gamble. It is one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and has become an integral part of the tourism industry in many countries around the world. Casinos are usually built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. The world’s most famous casinos include the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco, and the Casino Baden-Baden in Germany.

Casinos entice patrons by offering a variety of games with different rules and betting limits, as well as free drinks and food. They are often designed with bright colors and gaudy decor to stimulate the senses of sight and sound, and to create a buzzing atmosphere. The lights and noise are meant to keep the patrons focused on their gambling activities, and to entice them to place more bets.

In order to protect their profits, casinos use various methods to discourage cheating and stealing. The most common method is security cameras, but some casinos employ more elaborate technology. For example, a casino may use specialized chips with built-in microcircuitry to track the exact amounts of money wagered minute by minute, and to warn the employees if there is an unusual pattern that could indicate cheating.

Casinos are a profitable business, as they make most of their revenue from high bettors, or “high rollers.” These bettors typically gamble in special rooms away from the main floor, where the stakes can be in the tens of thousands of dollars. In return, they are given lavish comps, such as discounted travel, hotel rooms, and buffet tickets.