A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. These are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. They may also be located on cruise ships, riverboats, or other forms of transport. In addition to slot machines and gaming tables, a casino may offer other entertainment such as live music or shows.
In the United States, there are many casinos, but some are better known than others. The largest are in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, with other major gaming centers located in Chicago and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Some are operated by Native American tribes and are exempt from state antigambling laws. Some casinos are built on or combined with luxury resorts or other tourism infrastructure, such as theme parks and ski resorts.
Casinos are also a frequent sight in the United Kingdom, where they are sometimes referred to as “gambling houses”. They are usually licensed and regulated by the government and offer a variety of gambling games. These include baccarat (in the variant known as chemin de fer), blackjack, and roulette. Some have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down, through one-way glass, on activities at table and machine games. Most casinos are open 24 hours, though some close at 3 AM or 5 AM during the week and on weekends. Most are non-smoking. Some have a limited selection of smoking lounges. The number of casinos is increasing rapidly around the world, as more countries legalize casino gambling and as people seek new ways to gamble.