A casino is a gambling establishment, offering games of chance and sometimes skill. The word casino comes from the Italian word for “advance” or “frontier”. Some casinos are upscale, with an emphasis on luxury and service. In general, casino customers gamble with cash or paper tickets called chips. The most common game is poker, which is played against the house rather than other players. Other popular games include blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Casinos also offer a variety of other gambling activities, including the operation of a card room and sports book.

The earliest evidence of the word casino in English is from before 1701, though it may be earlier in other languages. The term was most likely borrowed from Italian, where it is found in several dialects and used to refer to a public house or meeting place for gaming. The modern definition of a casino has come to include not only gambling facilities but also hotels and restaurants.

Despite state laws prohibiting gambling, casinos continue to appear in the United States and internationally. Some, like the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, are famous for their glamour and beauty. Others, such as Winstar World Casino in Oklahoma, are known for their enormous size.

Regardless of location, all casinos must follow certain security guidelines. These typically include a combination of physical security forces and specialized surveillance departments. The latter have cameras positioned throughout the facility, and some casinos even have catwalks above the casino floor where security personnel can look down on the action through one-way glass.