A casino, or in Greek, is an establishment that provides gambling services. Its customers gamble by playing games of chance, and in some cases with an element of skill. Casinos generate revenue from the sale of gaming chips and from fees charged for some services, such as a table’s rake or tipping. Other sources of income include food and drink, which contribute to the customer experience and increase profitability.

Most casinos offer a variety of table games, slot machines, and video poker. Many also offer sports betting and other types of wagering on events, such as horse races. Some have theaters and auditoriums for stage shows, as well as restaurants and bars.

Some casinos employ sophisticated technological measures to ensure security. For example, some roulette wheels have built-in microcircuitry that communicates with electronic systems that oversee the amount of money being wagered minute by minute. Some have catwalks above the casino floor that allow surveillance personnel to look down through one-way glass on players. In addition, casinos use cameras to monitor game play.

Some of the world’s most famous casinos are located in exotic locations and feature dazzling architectural features. These include Venice’s Casino di Venezia, which is accessible only by water or a free boat shuttle; and Montreal’s Hotel de Ville, where three buildings that were originally exhibition spaces for Expo 67 have been repurposed into a modern casino with a refined tropical motif. The casino also houses a contemporary art gallery and boasts an extensive collection of Latin American art.