What is a Casino?

Casinos are gambling establishments where gamblers find a variety of ways to try their luck. They offer slots, roulette, blackjack, craps, keno and baccarat and bring in billions of dollars in profits for owners each year. While musical shows, lighted fountains and lavish hotels help attract patrons, casinos are ultimately about games of chance.

Gambling is one of the oldest human activities, with primitive proto-dice (cut knuckle bones) and even carved six-sided dice found in some of the world’s most ancient archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. However, the casino as we know it today developed in the 16th century during a gambling craze in Italy. Italian aristocrats would gather at places called ridotti to gamble and socialize. These were technically illegal, but the mob didn’t interfere with them.

The modern casino looks much like an indoor amusement park, with elaborate themes, musical shows and lighted fountains. But the lion’s share of revenue comes from the games of chance that people play inside, including slots, roulette, blackjack and other table games, and a wide selection of poker variants.

While some patrons may cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently, casinos have security measures designed to prevent this. Many casinos have cameras throughout the premises, and some have a special room for surveillance. Comps, or free goods or services, are also given to “good” players by casinos. These can include things such as hotel rooms, restaurant or show tickets and even airline flights.