A casino (also called a gambling house or a gaming establishment) is a facility for certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. Some casinos are operated by government-owned or private enterprises, while others are owned and operated by independent operators. Some casinos specialize in particular types of games, such as poker or horse racing. Others have a more varied offering of games and may also include entertainment venues, such as shows or bars.
In the United States, the term casino generally refers to a large building that is licensed by the state to operate a variety of gambling games. The United States leads the world with more than 1,000 casinos. The majority of these are located in Las Vegas, though a significant number are also found in other major cities such as Atlantic City, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois.
In addition to the gambling floors, many modern casinos offer a wide variety of other amenities and attractions that appeal to all kinds of visitors, from families to casual gamblers. Floor shows, free drinks and all-you-can-eat buffets are common perks. In addition, a large percentage of casinos have one or more luxury suites for visiting dignitaries and other high-rollers. These facilities also typically have a full-time security force and specialized departments for surveillance and monitoring of both guests and the property. This is done in cooperation with law enforcement and is designed to deter criminal activity within the casino.