A casino is a gambling establishment that offers various types of chance-based games. The games are typically conducted by employees known as croupiers or dealers. They include gaming machines such as slot machines, table games like blackjack and craps, and random number games such as roulette and baccarat. Tables games are played against the house (the casino), while machine and random number games are typically player-versus-player.

Casinos may be owned and operated by governments, Native American tribes, or private corporations. They can be located in cities, tourist destinations, or rural areas. Some casinos offer hotel and entertainment facilities in addition to their gambling operations. Casinos are regulated by laws governing their operations and have a high level of security to protect patrons’ money and personal information.

Some of the world’s most famous casinos are palatial in scale and scope, such as the Casino at Foxwoods in Connecticut, which has 38 restaurants and an enclave of luxury villas with butler service. These casinos usually feature a wide range of amenities, including five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants, designer shops, and top-billed entertainment shows such as circus acts and the latest musician concerts topping the Billboard charts.

Modern casinos employ two main categories of security: a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The latter operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, or eye in the sky. The casino surveillance personnel also inspect the casino floor through one-way mirrors to ensure that patrons are following all betting limits and other rules.