A casino (or gambling house) is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Modern casinos are often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. They may also host live entertainment events such as stand up comedy, concerts and sporting events. Some are famous for their architecture, particularly the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, which was featured in the film Ocean’s 11.
The term “casino” is derived from the Italian word for small room. Originally, the rooms were large enough to accommodate only a few people at a time, but over the years they have been made smaller and more intimate. Today’s casinos usually offer several hundred gaming tables and an extensive selection of slot machines. They also feature high-stakes poker rooms and a wide range of other gambling activities.
Many of the world’s largest casinos are located in Las Vegas, although there are many others scattered throughout the globe. The most notable are the Bellagio, the Venetian and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas; the Mirage in Reno, Nevada; and WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, which claims to be the biggest casino in the United States.
In addition to their opulent decor, these casinos often feature luxury accommodations, Michelin-starred restaurants and designer stores. They also have a host of top-billed entertainment shows, from high-flying circus acts to musicians topping the Billboard charts. Their security departments are highly trained, and in some cases use sophisticated technology to oversee gaming activity. For example, in some casinos, betting chips have microcircuitry that enables the casino to monitor their movement minute by minute; and roulette wheels are monitored electronically to detect any deviation from their expected results.