A casino is a gambling establishment that offers a variety of games of chance and skill. Most casinos offer traditional table games such as baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. Some casinos also offer poker and other card games in which patrons play against each other. Most of these games have mathematically determined odds that give the house a profit, either through taking a percentage of each pot or charging an hourly fee to each player.

Most modern casinos have multiple security measures in place to protect their guests and property. These measures include a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The former patrols the casino and responds to any calls for assistance or reports of suspicious or definite criminal activity. The latter operates the casino’s closed circuit television system, known as the eye in the sky.

Besides having some of the largest gaming floors in the world, many casinos also feature spectacular architecture and entertainment. The Venetian, for example, is a little slice of Italy in the heart of Las Vegas, where you can glide down the Grand Canal on a gondola while playing baccarat or blackjack or try your hand at one of the more than 1,000 slot machines. It’s no wonder the casino has hosted numerous high-profile events and appeared in countless movies including several James Bond films.

Planet Hollywood, meanwhile, is a casino designed for the party crowd, complete with go-go dancers and a massive light show. It has a variety of casino games as well as a theater and restaurants, but its star attraction is undoubtedly its shows, which have featured past headliners such as Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani.