Gambling is part of America’s fabric, and while most people associate the word Casino with Las Vegas, there are plenty of gambling opportunities in other parts of the country. Use the map below to find all legal land-based casinos in the United States, and be sure to check out my list of the best casinos to play at if you’re interested in trying your luck.

The etymology of the word Casino traces back to Italy and originally meant something like a clubhouse for Italian aristocrats who enjoyed social occasions and gambling. This type of venue was popular throughout Europe and allowed for a wide variety of games of chance, although it wasn’t until the 16th century that the concept of a large public gambling house was developed in France. The American version of a casino grew from this idea and features a number of games that provide the casino with a small advantage (usually less than 2 percent). These include roulette, craps, poker and slots.

While the casino’s edge may be very small, it is enough to earn the casino millions of dollars over time. These profits are what allow them to build hotels, fountains, giant pyramids, towers and replicas of famous landmarks.

Casinos use technology to help keep their house advantage at a minimum. Video surveillance is used to monitor the action at tables and slot machines, and some casinos even have catwalks in the ceiling above the gaming floor that allow surveillance personnel to look directly down on players through one way glass. Casinos also monitor player habits and offer comps to their biggest spenders, giving them free hotel rooms, shows, meals and airline tickets.