Casino is a word used to describe establishments that accommodate certain types of gambling. Most casinos are associated with hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise ships or other tourist attractions and offer a range of entertainment including live music, comedy, theatre and sports. In some countries, such as the United States, casinos are licensed and regulated by government agencies.
Some of the world’s most luxurious casinos offer opulent suites and spas alongside table games and roulette wheels. Others, like the Casino di Venezia, are set on glistening canals where guests arrive by free boat shuttle. The world’s most famous casinos attract high rollers who are prepared to gamble large sums of money in return for the opportunity to win big jackpots. There are a wide range of casino games available, and some casinos specialize in inventing new games to draw in players. Because of the large amounts of money involved, there is always a risk that both patrons and staff will cheat or steal. To combat this, most casinos spend a significant amount of time and money on security measures. Casinos employ a variety of methods, including video surveillance systems and hidden microphones. Windows and clocks are also usually absent from casino floors, to prevent gamblers from realizing how long they have been spending their money. Casinos also use patterns to spot suspicious betting activities, such as a sudden change in the pattern of a particular game.