A casino is a place where a wide variety of games of chance can be played. It also houses various entertainment venues and restaurants. There are many state-regulated casinos in the United States, with Nevada and Atlantic City being particularly famous. However, a large number of Native American casinos are also located throughout the country.

Something about gambling (probably the presence of large amounts of money) seems to encourage people to cheat and steal, either in collusion with each other or independently. As a result, casinos spend a great deal of time and money on security measures. Among other things, they have many cameras monitoring activity throughout the building. Many have catwalks where security personnel can look down directly on table games through one-way glass.

The casino industry is also characterized by its focus on customer service. Many of the perks that casinos offer to draw gamblers—like free drinks and stage shows—are designed to make sure that gamblers keep coming back. For example, it is common practice to give high rollers special treatment. This might include letting them play in rooms separate from the main floor, where the stakes can be much higher.

Casinos also try to maximize the amount of money that gamblers will spend. To this end, they often use bright and sometimes gaudy floor and wall coverings that are designed to stimulate the senses. In addition, clocks are rarely seen in casino buildings, since it is thought that they will cause patrons to lose track of time and spend more money.