A casino, also known as a gaming establishment or gambling hall, is a place where people can gamble and bet money on games of chance. Most casino games involve some element of skill, but most have mathematically determined odds that ensure that the house will win more often than not. These odds are known as the house edge and are the source of revenue for casinos. Casinos may also offer other types of entertainment, including shows and restaurants.

In general, casinos are protected by security measures, including surveillance cameras and employees who monitor patrons to prevent cheating or theft. Large amounts of cash are handled within a casino, and this can lead to both staff and patrons being tempted to cheat or steal. Casinos generally have a variety of security measures to prevent this, such as requiring that all patrons wear tags and limiting the amount of cash they can carry into the building.

Something about gambling (maybe the presence of large amounts of money) seems to encourage some people to try to cheat, steal or scam their way into a jackpot. Fortunately for casinos, many of these schemes are unsuccessful.

The most famous casino in the world is probably the Bellagio, but other contenders include Monte-Carlo in Monaco, the Hotel Lisboa in Macau and the elegant spa town of Baden-Baden in Germany. These casinos are renowned for their glamour, history or a combination of both. Guests at these casinos are likely to see celebrities, enjoy luxurious accommodations and play a wide variety of games.