A casino is a building or room where people can gamble. The word is used most often in reference to a gambling establishment, but it can also refer to an entire building that houses such a place, or a group of rooms or buildings that are dedicated to this activity. The term may also refer to a specific game played at such a facility, such as roulette or blackjack. In the modern sense, the term may also be used to describe a place that hosts a wide range of other entertainment events, such as concerts and theatrical performances.

Aside from gaming tables and slot machines, a casino may also feature one or more bars and restaurants, as well as a number of shops and other facilities for its patrons. Most casinos have a variety of security measures in place to prevent crime and ensure the safety of their guests, including a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that uses closed circuit television to monitor the premises.

Casinos come in all shapes and sizes, from the glitzy megaresorts of Las Vegas to the tiny, private clubs that are popular among local residents in some European cities. Some casinos have even become a major tourist attraction, such as the Monte Carlo casino in Monaco.

While there are casinos in many places, some cities and regions have become particularly associated with them, becoming famous for their dazzling buildings and glitzy gambling dens. The Bellagio in Las Vegas, for example, is one of the most recognizable casinos in the world, thanks to its iconic fountains and the glass-enclosed hotel tower that appears to float over the casino floor.

Among the most impressive casinos in the world is the Grand Lisboa in Macau, East Asia’s version of Vegas. This architectural showpiece is the city’s tallest structure, crowned with the world’s largest LED dome made up of over a million LED lights. Its interior lives up to its dazzling exterior, with 800 gambling tables and 1,000 slots spread across several large and lavishly decorated floors.

In addition to its standard collection of gambling games, the Grand Lisboa features an expansive wine cellar and regularly hosts culinary events that draw celebrity chefs. It is also home to a theater that has hosted legendary performers such as Frank Sinatra, Elton John and Cher.