A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. It features gaming tables (such as blackjack, craps, and roulette), slot machines, and sometimes entertainment shows. Some casinos are combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and/or cruise ships. In the United States, there are over 1,000 casinos. Las Vegas has the largest concentration, followed by Atlantic City and Chicago. Gambling has been a part of human culture for millennia. The earliest evidence of game playing dates back to 2300 BC in China, and the first modern casinos appeared in the 1400s in Europe.

Some casinos feature catwalks above the gaming floor, allowing surveillance personnel to look directly down through one-way glass on the activities at tables and slot machines. These cameras are linked to monitors in the casino control room. Many casinos also have security personnel at the front desk and in the gaming areas to deter cheating and theft.

In games such as poker where players compete against each other, the house takes a commission on winning bets, known as the rake. Some casinos give complimentary items or cash to gamblers, known as comps. Casinos may also offer a variety of other attractions, such as sports bars and restaurants, and some have swimming pools and/or fitness centers.

WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma is a massive complex featuring Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill restaurant, as well as a number of other dining options. The property is home to a number of bars and nightclubs, and is an official boxing venue that has hosted Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield, Muhammad Ali, and Riddick Bowe.