A Casino is a place where people can gamble by playing games of chance or skill. Most casinos also offer food and drinks. Casinos can be found in countries worldwide, and are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. The United States has the most casinos, with 2,147 licensed establishments and 619 casino hotels. Its gambling industry generates $261 billion annually. The next four largest casino markets are Romania, Italy, Spain, and the Czech Republic.
A modern casino usually has a security force and a specialized surveillance department, which works together to keep criminals off the premises. The security staff is trained to recognize suspicious or threatening behavior and report it to the police. Casinos also have catwalks above the gaming floor, which allow surveillance personnel to look down on players through one-way glass.
In addition to a gambling floor, some modern casinos have other entertainment offerings, such as live entertainment and top-notch hotels. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for instance, is famous for its fountain shows and luxurious accommodations. Other famous casinos include the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco, the Casino Lisboa in Lisbon, and the Casino Baden-Baden in Germany.
The new Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, which opened this year, is a glamorous example of what a modern casino can be. Its high ceilings are lit with natural light, and there’s a large, gleaming chandelier made of 1,200 bowtie-shaped glass columns. The casino is huge, with a range of table games and a swanky sports book.