A casino is a facility where people can gamble for cash. The precise origins of gambling are unknown, but it is believed that the practice has been around for thousands of years. Casinos are most commonly found in cities with established tourist industries, such as Las Vegas, Nevada and Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The largest casinos in the world offer a wide variety of gambling experiences. Some, like electronic slot machines, are simple and require no skill to play, while others require players to make use of strategy and a certain degree of luck. Some casinos even offer live entertainment, with high-flying circus acts and top-billed musicians appearing on stage for the enjoyment of patrons.
Most modern casinos utilize a two-tiered floor plan, with the first level offering slot machines and table games and the second level hosting table games and a poker room. Some casinos also have restaurants, bars and other non-gambling facilities such as a contemporary art gallery or a three-ring rotating stage for live performances.
Security is a concern at all casinos, since they deal in large amounts of money and patrons may be tempted to cheat or steal. To combat this, most casinos employ both a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The former patrols the premises and responds to calls for assistance or reports of definite criminal activity, while the latter operates closed circuit television systems that can be accessed by the public.