A casino is a gambling establishment where people play games of chance. Its name is derived from the French word for “house,” and it can also refer to a private club or social gathering where gambling is permitted. Casinos offer a variety of gaming options, including slot machines, table games, and poker rooms. Many casinos also feature top-notch hotels and spas, restaurants, and live entertainment.

Although casino gamblers may differ in their level of skill, most games are based on mathematically determined odds that give the house an advantage over the players, a concept known as the house edge. In addition, the house takes a percentage of the money wagered on each hand of poker or other games in which players compete against one another, a practice called raking.

The most famous casino in the world is probably the Bellagio in Las Vegas, made famous by the movie Ocean’s 11. It features luxurious accommodations, high-end dining, and breath-taking art installations in addition to its vast selection of table games and slot machines.

Security is a major concern in casinos, where large amounts of money are handled regularly. To combat this, casinos employ a wide range of security measures. Some are obvious, such as the cameras in the ceiling that watch every table, window, and doorway and can be directed to focus on suspicious patrons by security workers in a separate room full of banks of monitors. Other security measures are more subtle; for example, the routines and patterns of casino games (such as how dealers shuffle and deal cards) often follow certain predictable patterns that make it easier for security to spot cheating.