A casino is an establishment for gambling. It can be located in a hotel and casino, a resort, or as an independent facility. Casinos often include a variety of gaming activities, such as poker, casino games, and sports betting. They also may have restaurants, bars, and other entertainment. Some are combined with other attractions, such as water parks or theme parks.

The word casino is derived from the Italian cazino, meaning “little house.” It can be used to describe any type of gaming establishment, but in the United States it primarily refers to venues that feature table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as slot machines. Some casinos offer live croupiers and other forms of table game simulation, such as baccarat and sic bo.

Casinos can be found worldwide and are often a major tourist attraction. Many state governments regulate the operation of casinos and set minimum age requirements. Several countries, particularly those in Europe, have legalized casinos. Casinos are also common on American Indian reservations and in riverboats. In the United States, they are commonly located near resorts and other leisure destinations.

In addition to the usual casino tables and slots, most modern casinos have rooms devoted to card games such as poker and baccarat. Many of these rooms offer tournaments that pit players against one another. They also typically have a high-limit room where seasoned professionals can test their skills. Casinos also use technology to monitor and protect their customers. They usually employ a physical security force that patrols the premises and a specialized department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, sometimes called “the eye in the sky.”