A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming hall, is an establishment where people can gamble. The term is derived from the Latin word cazino, which means “to toss.” A casino is a facility that offers a variety of games of chance and can be found in most countries where gambling is legal. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and shopping malls.

The casino industry in the United States became highly concentrated in the 1950s when Nevada legalized gambling. As a result, Las Vegas gained the reputation of being the world’s most famous and glamorous gaming venue. During this period, organized crime money helped casinos grow and expand. Mafia leaders provided bankrolls for new casinos, took sole or partial ownership of some of them, and influenced the outcomes of some games through intimidation tactics against staff.

Casinos employ a wide range of security measures to prevent cheating and stealing. These include a visible presence of security cameras throughout the casino floor, and a staff trained to spot suspicious behavior, such as marking or switching cards. In table games, dealers and croupiers wear uniforms that make them easily identifiable to patrons.

Some casinos have separate rooms for high-stakes gamblers, where the bets can reach tens of thousands of dollars. These high-rollers are a major source of profit for casinos, and they are rewarded with comps that can include free spectacular entertainment, meals and hotel rooms.