A casino is an establishment for gambling, such as a place where people can play games of chance. Casinos are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, cruise ships, and other tourist attractions. They may also offer sports betting.

Some casinos are designed to resemble castles or palaces, and others have a more modern appearance. Whatever the design, a casino’s purpose is to attract and keep gamblers, and to provide them with entertainment and amenities that will maximize profits.

The word casino is derived from the Latin cazino, meaning “little house,” and is thought to have been coined by French troops stationed in Italy in the 14th century. It was soon adopted by other European cultures, and it reached North America via the Spanish colonization of the Caribbean.

Modern casinos are large, opulent structures with multiple gambling areas and restaurants. They are heavily guarded and equipped with cameras to prevent cheating and theft. They usually accept all bets within an established limit, so that a patron cannot win more than the casino can afford to pay. They make their profit by charging an hourly fee for the use of gaming tables and a portion or all winnings from some games.

A casino can also serve as a venue for live entertainment, such as concerts and shows. Caesars Palace, for instance, has a history of hosting superstars such as Frank Sinatra (during his brief residency in 1968) and Elton John. The resort’s 2,000-seat Circus Maximus Showroom has also hosted the likes of Cher, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.