A casino is a gambling establishment, typically a large building with one or more floors where various games of chance are played. Casinos often combine gambling with hotels, restaurants, retail shops and other tourist attractions. They may also have entertainment venues such as theatres and live entertainment. Some casinos are owned by governments, while others are operated by private companies. Many countries have legalized casinos and gambling, with Las Vegas and Atlantic City the most famous gaming destinations.

The precise origin of gambling is difficult to pinpoint, but it has been an integral part of human society for millennia. In fact, archeological evidence of dice-based games dates back as far as 2300 BC. Dice-based gambling eventually became a fixture of the Roman Empire, followed by card games in the 1400s and the modern game of blackjack in the 1600s.

While some casino games involve skill, the vast majority are pure chance and dependent on luck alone. These games are known as ‘table games’ and are staffed by professional croupiers. They include blackjack, roulette, poker and craps, with the latter two involving some degree of strategy. In table games that do not involve a croupier, the house usually earns money through a commission, called a “rake.”

With so much cash handled within a casino, security is an important issue. Modern casinos are generally supervised by a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department. The former patrols the casino and responds to calls for assistance or suspicious or criminal activity, while the latter operates the closed circuit television system that monitors the premises.