What Is a Casino?

A casino, also called a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is an establishment offering a variety of gaming activities. It may also offer dining and entertainment options. Casinos are located in the United States and elsewhere around the world. They are usually built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. Some casinos specialize in one type of gaming, such as poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette and craps, while others offer a wide variety of games.

Casinos are often staffed with security guards and cameras for protection from theft and fraud. They are also regulated by government agencies. Some casinos, like those in Nevada, allow sports betting on events such as NFL battles or small soccer matches in Colombia. Others, such as those on American Indian reservations, are exempt from state antigambling laws.

The first modern casinos began to appear in the 1980s. They often featured baroque flourishes, and were often designed by well-known architects. One of the most elegant and renowned is in the spa town of Baden-Baden, Germany, which first opened its doors to European royalty and aristocracy 150 years ago.

Although most people associate casinos with Las Vegas, America’s biggest casino is actually in Ledyard, Connecticut, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Indian tribe. The Foxwoods Resort Casino, which opened in 1968, offers 4.7 million square feet of gaming space and features 17 different types of table games, 7,000 slot machines and one of the world’s largest bingo halls. It is also home to the most extensive collection of Native American art in the United States.