A casino, or gaming house, is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Some casinos are combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shops or cruise ships. Other casinos are stand-alone gambling halls. In the United States, about 51 million people—a quarter of all Americans over age 21—visited a casino in 2002.

The most famous casino is probably the Monte Carlo Casino, which attracts nineteenth century aristocrats as well as high-flying accountants, lawyers and CEOs. This elegant casino oozes class and luxury and is a popular choice for those who want to try their hand at blackjack, poker or roulette. It was also the inspiration for the film Ocean’s Eleven.

Throughout the world, there are many spectacular casinos. Some are more flamboyant than others, and some are bigger than others. The Venetian Macau in Asia is the biggest single-structure casino on the planet, with a floor area of over 50,725 m2. It is surrounded by a canal, complete with bridges and gondolas, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants. The Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut is the second largest casino in America, and is a full-on resort with 38 restaurants and golf courses.

Casinos can be a great source of entertainment, but there are some negative aspects as well. Some patrons are tempted to cheat and steal, either in collusion or independently, and casinos employ a variety of security measures to prevent this. Besides, casinos often damage local property values, and there is a growing concern that casino gambling could lead to addiction.