What Is a Casino?

The most luxurious casinos in the world boast not only the usual array of table games and slots, but top-notch restaurants, spas, and theaters. These places can be as much fun to visit as they are to gamble in, but they certainly come with a high price tag.

The word casino, from the Latin casin, means a gambling house; however, in modern usage it refers to any establishment offering certain types of gambling. It is also used as a name for the gaming rooms themselves, especially those in hotels, resorts, and cruise ships. Some casinos specialize in specific types of gambling, such as poker, or are known for hosting major sporting events. Others are simply large gambling halls with a wide range of games.

The most famous casino in the world is probably Monte Carlo, which serves as both a tourist attraction and a source of revenue for the principality of Monaco. But there are many more impressive examples, from the Casino at the Venetian to the massive Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut, which is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Casinos are generally divided into two categories: those that offer table games run by live croupiers, and those that allow players to wager against each other, such as standard poker. Many casinos combine these types of games in their facilities, but the distinction is important for legal purposes. In modern times, casino security is typically split between a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, or “eye in the sky.” Both departments work closely together to prevent crime inside the facility.