A casino (also known as a gambling establishment) is a place where people can gamble and watch live entertainment. Many casinos are connected to hotels and feature restaurants, bars and other amenities. The precise origin of gambling is unknown, but it has been around for thousands of years in some form or another.

Modern casinos have a wide variety of games to offer their patrons. In addition to standard table and card games, many feature a large selection of slots. Slot machines may be as simple as a machine that pays out coins when a player matches symbols, or they can be much more complex and themed after popular movies, TV shows and other attractions.

Many casinos are regulated by government authorities, and their security measures are often very sophisticated. Security personnel are trained to spot a wide range of cheating activities, from palming or marking cards to switching dice and even stealing chips. They also use electronic systems to monitor the results of games, such as roulette and blackjack, and detect any deviations from expected outcomes.

In addition to these more visible measures, most casinos rely on a number of less-obvious methods to protect their customers and assets. For example, dealers are required to keep their hands clearly visible at all times, and table managers and pit bosses regularly patrol the floor to ensure that patrons are following the rules. Casinos also use video surveillance systems that provide a high-tech eye-in-the-sky, and they can be adjusted to focus on suspicious patrons.