When people think of casinos, they may picture the flashy megaresorts of Las Vegas or the lavish European venues like Monte Carlo and Baden-Baden. But a casino is far more than just a place to gamble and play games of chance; it can also be a luxurious hotel, spa, or entertainment complex.

These examples are selected automatically from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘casino.’ See the full definition.

The earliest casino was a building or room used for social amusements, particularly gambling. The term grew in popularity through the 19th century, and it eventually came to refer to a specific place equipped with gaming devices. In the modern sense of the word, casinos are primarily establishments that offer various types of gambling, including electronic and table games. Many casinos combine their gaming operations with hotels, restaurants, cruise ships, and retail shops. Some even host live entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy. In 2005, a survey by Harrah’s Entertainment found that women in particular were more likely to prefer the machines than men, and preferred slots in the $0.25- to $0.50-per-play range. However, in general, the vast majority of casino patrons consider gambling to be a fun activity, and most people who go to casinos do so with friends. Some patrons may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with others or independently; therefore, most casinos have security measures. These usually include security cameras and rules of conduct for patrons.