A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It is often combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourist attractions. The word is derived from the Latin casis, meaning “house,” from casa (“cottage, hut”). Casino may also refer to:

A modern casino has many security measures to prevent cheating and theft by both patrons and staff members. These measures include cameras, secure entrances and exits, and random audits of game results. The sheer volume of money handled in casinos makes them vulnerable to attempts at fraud, either in collusion with other gamblers or by individuals acting alone. This is why casinos spend so much on security.

In the past, casinos were often financed by organized crime groups, which provided bankrolls to help them attract American gamblers. Mob-owned casinos gained a reputation as places where people could gamble legally, away from the taint of illegal street gambling. Casinos became so popular that they grew into a huge industry, and many states began to license and regulate them.

Most modern casinos employ a combination of computer systems to monitor and verify player bets. This technology enables them to oversee the amount of money wagered minute-by-minute, and to warn patrons quickly of any statistical deviation from expected results. Statistical analysis is a vital part of casino operations, and professional mathematicians and computer programmers are employed to perform it. These are known as gaming mathematicians or gaming analysts. Casinos can also hire people to handle security for their facilities. These jobs are often dangerous, requiring people to patrol high-security areas and deal with potential threats. They are also highly demanding, requiring extensive training and a high level of intelligence.