A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming hall, is an establishment where people can gamble. Casinos are usually located in or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other entertainment venues. Some casinos are operated by government-sanctioned national or international organizations, while others are owned and operated by private individuals or companies. In some countries, the term casino may refer to a specific type of game, such as roulette or poker.
In the United States, the most common use of the word is for a place where gambling is legal. Many state governments regulate casino gambling and license operators to operate licensed facilities. In addition, some American Indian tribes operate casinos on their lands, which are often exempt from some state anti-gambling laws.
According to the Gemini Research Report of March 2002, respondents who acknowledged participating in casino gambling overwhelmingly chose slot machines as their favorite games. Card games accounted for 30%, while bingo and keno ranked significantly lower, with only 6% of the respondents choosing them as their preferred games. Table games and gambling on sporting/racing events earned only 5% of the overall preference.
Because of the large amounts of money handled within the confines of a casino, it is common for patrons and staff to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. To combat these problems, most casinos employ a variety of security measures. These can include security cameras, manned guard posts, and electronic surveillance.