A casino is a gambling establishment where people can place bets on various games of chance. Modern casinos are often glitzy and luxurious, with stage shows and elaborate restaurants to draw in players. While a casino is primarily an entertainment venue for those who like to gamble, it can also be a destination for high-stakes gamblers.

Casinos make money by offering games that have some element of skill or chance and by taking a percentage of the winnings from the players. This is called the house edge and it varies by game. Poker is an example of a game with a house edge, as the casinos take a percentage of each pot, known as the rake, for running the tables.

Gambling is a popular form of recreation and has been found in most societies throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamia to Napoleon’s France. However, casinos have gained in popularity since the early 20th century, when they became legalized in most states and began to grow internationally.

While dazzling light shows, swanky hotels and top-notch restaurants are a big draw for many casino goers, the main reason to visit one is to play a variety of gambling games. Some of the most famous casinos in the world include Las Vegas, Macau, and Baden-Baden in Germany.

With so much money moving around in a casino, both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal. To help prevent this, most casinos have elaborate security measures. These may include a physical security force that patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance or reports of suspicious activity. Modern casinos also have specialized surveillance departments that use cameras in the ceiling to create an eye-in-the-sky view of the entire casino.