A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships or other tourist attractions. They may also be wholly separate buildings. In some cases, casinos are operated by non-profit organizations. The word casino is a portmanteau of the Spanish word for gambling, and the English words house and room. A casino may offer a variety of games, from blackjack and roulette to poker and slot machines. In addition, some casinos feature live entertainment such as stand-up comedy or concerts.
In the United States, casino gaming is legal in 40 states. The largest concentration of casinos is in Las Vegas, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. The number of casinos in the United States is steadily increasing. The casino business is lucrative because it attracts tourists who spend money in the local economy.
Casinos can be the subject of controversy and social criticism, due to their addictive nature, their role in promoting gambling addiction, and their effect on local economies and property values. Security is a key issue at many casinos, as both patrons and staff may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. Modern casinos use a variety of technologies to prevent such activity, from chip tracking in blackjack to regular monitoring of roulette wheels to detect statistical deviations. These systems enable the casinos to track how much is wagered minute-by-minute and warn staff of any anomalies.