A Casino is a place where people can gamble. Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia. Evidence of gambling dates back to 2300 BC, with dice appearing around 500 AD and card games shortly after that. Modern casinos are elaborate, upscale structures that offer a wide variety of games. Some have restaurants and shops. Many have security measures to deter criminal activity.

The United States leads the world in number of casinos, with more than 1,000. Las Vegas is the best known of them, but there are also a number in smaller cities and towns. The largest casino in the US is located in Thackerville, Oklahoma. This is partly because the town is very close to the Texas border, but also because it serves as a local destination for travelers from nearby Dallas and other cities.

Other large casinos include the Bellagio, which has a famous fountain and is featured in several films. The Venetian is another popular casino, renowned for its high-end poker rooms and frequent host of World Poker Tour events. Casinos also feature a wide range of games, from low-limit roulette and blackjack to baccarat and keno. Some have catwalks in the ceiling that allow surveillance personnel to look down, through one-way glass, on the action at the tables and slots. Some casinos also have exclusive fashion stores for affluent shoppers. Other casinos feature collections of memorabilia, such as the glove Michael Jackson wore during his first televised moonwalk.