A casino is an establishment where people can gamble. It may also include entertainment elements such as stage shows and dramatic scenery. Some casinos specialize in particular types of gambling, such as baccarat or blackjack. Many countries have legalized gambling in some form, and the United States is the largest casino market in the world. Casinos often feature table games such as poker, baccarat, roulette and craps. Slot machines are also common in most casinos.
The casino industry is a major source of income for many cities and regions. In the United States, there are more than 1,000 casinos. Most of these are located in Las Vegas, Nevada; other famous casino destinations include Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Reno, Nevada. The casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and other tourist attractions. Some are even owned by major hotel chains.
In general, casino gambling is geared toward high-income individuals and families. The average casino gambler is a forty-six-year-old woman who lives in a household with above-average income. In 2005, 24% of American adults reported having visited a casino in the previous year.
Security at casinos begins with employees on the floor. They keep an eye on players and the game to spot blatant cheating or suspicious betting patterns. In addition, more sophisticated casino security systems employ cameras that can be monitored from a room filled with banks of monitors.