A casino, or gambling establishment, is a place where people can try their luck at games of chance and win money. It is often located near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. It is a popular form of entertainment and is frequently the subject of controversy.

A few decades ago, many countries changed their laws to permit casinos. In the United States, casinos are operated by private companies. Most are licensed and regulated by the state in which they operate. In 2008, 24% of Americans reported visiting a casino in the past year.

Most casino employees, from the security guards to the dealers at the tables, are trained to spot cheating. They look for blatant palming of cards or dice, marking of the numbers, and betting patterns that indicate cheating. Casinos also employ a variety of high-tech surveillance systems to watch every table and window, as well as monitor the activity in the doorways and hallways.

To encourage gamblers, the environment of a casino is designed around noise and light. Slot machines emit a rhythmic sound, and more than 15,000 miles of neon tubing lights the brightly colored gambling halls of Las Vegas. Casinos also advertise a variety of food and beverage options to tempt gamblers. Alcoholic drinks are free to most patrons, and waiters circulate throughout the casino to provide drinks. The color red is a favorite decoration choice, as it is believed to be stimulating to the senses and help patrons lose track of time.