A casino is a gambling establishment that offers various games of chance. Many casinos also offer restaurants and other amenities to attract customers. They may also feature stage shows and dramatic scenery to bolster their image as entertainment destinations.

Most casinos are located in cities with high tourism traffic, such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, or on American Indian reservations, which are not subject to state anti-gambling laws. Increasing numbers of states are legalizing casinos, and there are now over 1,000 of them worldwide.

Something about the large amounts of money handled within a casino encourages patrons to cheat and steal, either in collusion with each other or independently; this is why most casinos have security measures in place. These may include cameras, guards, and rules requiring players to keep their hands visible at all times when playing cards.

While the idea of a gambling establishment is not new, the modern casino has become a major tourist attraction. It has come to symbolize glitz, glamour, and excess in popular culture, especially in movies such as “Casino Royale” and James Bond movies. In addition, some casinos are designed to have an opulent appearance in order to attract wealthy visitors. In the United States, Nevada is known for its casinos and Las Vegas is the most famous gambling destination, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. The number of casinos has risen rapidly since the early 1980s, when Native American gaming began to proliferate and several states relaxed their anti-gambling laws.