A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming hall, is an establishment where people can gamble and play various games. These facilities are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. In the United States, casinos are regulated by state and local laws. Casinos are most famous for their gambling operations, but many offer other types of entertainment as well.

In addition to the traditional table games and slot machines, some casinos feature exotic entertainment shows and top-billed music artists. The Bellagio, for example, is famous for its dancing fountains and opulent accommodations. The movie Ocean’s 11 added to the hotel’s popularity and introduced it to a worldwide audience.

The word casino is derived from the Italian city of Casin, meaning “little house.” In modern usage, it refers to an establishment where certain types of gambling are permitted. The most popular games include roulette, blackjack, and poker. Some casinos also feature exotic games, such as sic bo and fan-tan.

During the 1990s, casinos dramatically increased their use of technology to monitor games. For example, chips with built-in microcircuitry allow casinos to oversee the exact amounts wagered minute by minute and to warn staff if there is any anomaly; roulette wheels are monitored electronically to detect statistical deviations from expected results. Some casinos are also wired to send information directly to the Internet, allowing the players to wager on their favorite games from anywhere in the world.

Although gambling is legal in most countries, there are still concerns about the social impact of casinos. They can attract problem gamblers, and the large sums of money they handle can create economic instability in a region. In some cases, they can even affect the property values of nearby homes. As such, governments around the world regulate casinos to protect their citizens from gambling addiction.

There are a number of famous casinos around the world. Some are located in cities that have become known for their gambling offerings, such as Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, and Singapore. Other casinos are set in picturesque locations, such as the Grand Canals of Venice, making them popular destinations for tourists and celebrities.

The elegant spa town of Baden-Baden first became a playground for Europe’s royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago, but it has since attracted a diverse range of visitors. Its casino is among the most lavishly outfitted on this list, modeled after Versailles and decorated with baroque flourishes. Guests can enjoy gambling at the casino’s 185 tables and 6300 slot machines, as well as live entertainment from performers such as Frank Sinatra and Mariah Carey. The resort also includes 38 restaurants and two golf courses, and an enclave of private villas with butler service. Foxwoods, meanwhile, is a massive resort that is one of the biggest in America and has attracted stars such as Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, and Sting. It is owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.