Casinos are places where gamblers can risk their money on games of chance. They can be found in huge resorts, card rooms, and on boats and barges along rivers across the country.

Gambling is illegal in most of the world, but casinos are legal in several states including Nevada. They also exist on American Indian reservations that are not subject to state antigambling laws.

The world’s biggest casinos are located in Las Vegas, California, and Atlantic City, New Jersey. They have thousands of slot machines, gaming tables, and hotels.

These casinos draw in visitors with their bright lights, musical shows, shopping centers, lighted fountains, and elaborate themes. They also offer restaurants, non-gambling game rooms, bars, swimming pools, and spas.

Many casinos employ sophisticated surveillance systems to monitor gambling activities. Video cameras in the ceiling watch every table, change windows and doorways, and can be adjusted by security personnel to focus on certain patrons.

There are also electronic monitoring systems that alert the casino if any of its customers lose their money. These systems include chip tracking, which uses betting chips that interact with computers to allow the casino to oversee wagers and spot suspicious betting patterns, as well as roulette wheels that are electronically monitored regularly to detect any statistical deviations from expected results.

Casinos also use a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department to keep the gaming floor safe and to prevent crime. These two departments work closely together and are very successful at keeping the casino free from fraud, theft, and other criminal activity.