A casino, also known as a gaming house or a gambling establishment, is an establishment where various types of gambling take place. It is a type of public building and is often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and/or entertainment venues. Many casinos host live entertainment events such as concerts and stand-up comedy.

Modern casinos look more like indoor amusement parks than anything else. Musical shows, lighted fountains, shopping centers, and lavish hotels all help to draw in the crowds, but it’s games of chance that provide the billions in profits that casinos are famous for.

While the Bellagio’s fountain show is arguably the most famous casino attraction in the world, there are plenty of other places to get your gamble on. From the famous Monte-Carlo to the Casino Lisboa in Portugal, these iconic locations offer a mix of glamour, history, and high-roller action.

The casino business is a lucrative one, but it’s not without its risks. While a few mobster families once owned some of the most famous gambling operations, federal crackdowns and fear of losing their licenses have helped to keep legitimate businesses away from organized crime. Even so, the casinos are still a hotbed for larceny, theft, and cheating. For that reason, they are equipped with extensive surveillance systems, a high-tech eye in the sky, and security staff that keep an eye out for suspicious patrons. If a crime is committed, the system can alert the casino’s security personnel immediately.