A casino is a gambling establishment where customers gamble by playing games of chance or skill, in some cases both. Most casinos offer a wide variety of casino games, with the most popular being slot machines, blackjack, and craps. Other popular casino games include video poker and roulette. Some casinos also offer Far Eastern games such as sic bo and fan-tan, as well as local favorites like two-up in Australia, banca francesa and boule in Portugal, and kalooki and pai gow in France and Britain.
A modern casino offers a variety of security measures to protect players and property. These measures range from physical security forces to specialized surveillance departments. Specialized surveillance departments often use closed circuit television (CCTV) to monitor patrons and their actions in the casino. Many casinos have security staff in the gaming areas who monitor these cameras continuously.
Casinos are also famous for their entertainment and dining options. Most have restaurants that serve a wide variety of food and drinks, as well as live entertainment such as comedy shows, musical acts, and game shows. Many casinos also have bars, which are a great place to get a drink and watch the action. A few of the best known casinos are located in Las Vegas, which is known for its large number of casino-hotels and entertainment venues. Casinos are also found in Atlantic City, which became a major gambling center after New Jersey legalized casino gambling in 1978, and in other cities around the world, including Paris, Berlin, and Baden-Baden.