A casino is a place where people play games of chance for money. The games include slot machines, card tables and roulette wheels. Casinos are located in places like Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Chicago.

Gambling has been popular throughout history, but the United States legalized casinos only in the late 20th century. Before then, gambling was illegal in most states, though it took place on Native American reservations, which were exempt from state laws. In the 1980s, several American cities amended their laws to allow casinos, and in the 1990s, many more states passed legislation permitting them.

In addition to gambling, casinos often offer hotel rooms, restaurants and other amenities for their customers. They also offer rewards programs to attract regular players. Known as comps, these benefits can include free meals, hotel stays and even tickets to shows. A player’s overall spending at the casino is used to calculate the amount of the comps they receive.

The most famous casino is probably the Bellagio in Las Vegas, which is known for its dancing fountains and high-end dining options. It’s also featured in the movie Ocean’s 11. Other well-known casinos include the MGM Grand and Foxwoods resorts.