A Casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of different gaming machines and tables. These include roulette, blackjack and poker, and are often decorated in opulent style with expensive carpets and lighting to add to the atmosphere of luxury and excitement. Casinos may also offer food and drink and other entertainment like live music or shows. Several states have legalized casinos to capitalize on the large numbers of visitors they draw to their states.
The term Casino was coined in the United States by newspaper publisher William S. McMillan to describe the new gambling houses that sprang up in Nevada when gambling was first legalized there. The word was later adopted by the international gaming industry and continues to be used today.
In addition to their gambling, casinos offer a variety of other activities, including sports betting and horse racing. Some casinos offer free hotel rooms, meals and show tickets to their most frequent patrons, known as comps. You can find out more about comps by talking to a casino employee or at the information desk.
Because of the large amounts of cash handled within a casino, there is always a temptation for patrons and staff to cheat or steal. To counter this, many casinos employ security measures to keep tabs on everyone and everything. For example, cameras in the ceiling watch every table and window, and can be adjusted by workers to focus on suspicious patrons.