A casino is a building that houses gambling games and entertainment. Generally, these are a mixture of chance and skill. Casinos offer a variety of games to their patrons, including poker, roulette, and blackjack.

Although most people associate casinos with Las Vegas, these megaresorts are found throughout the world. Many casinos also provide dining, shopping, and other amenities for their guests. They are also a major source of employment and income for local governments and businesses. Some casinos also host concerts and other live entertainment events.

In a survey conducted in March 2002, Gemini Research asked respondents who had gambled in the previous year which game they enjoyed most. The largest portion of those who answered claimed that they liked to play slot machines. Card games and other table games came in second, followed by sports betting. Bingo and keno, on the other hand, received very little attention from gambling respondents.

In addition to offering a wide selection of games, most casinos have their own security departments. These include both physical and specialized surveillance teams. Besides ensuring the safety of patrons, these departments help deter criminal activity and theft by implementing various methods of monitoring activities within a casino. These methods usually consist of cameras and other technological measures, as well as enforcing rules of behavior. For example, it is not acceptable to hide cards behind your back when playing poker. Such actions could result in serious legal consequences.