Many people travel the world specifically to visit casinos, while others are surprised to find they enjoy gambling and want to try their luck in various locations. Almost any place that houses a variety of games of chance can be considered a casino, although most offer more than just games of chance. Modern casinos also add a host of other features designed to attract and entertain their patrons, such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows.

The exact origin of gambling is not well known, but it is widely believed that games of chance have existed for thousands of years. The first government-sanctioned gambling house was opened in 1638 in Venice, Italy, called the Ridotto. It was a four-story building with rooms for primitive card games and a selection of food and beverages to keep the players satisfied. The Ridotto was the birthplace of the modern casino, and it was followed by similar facilities in France and other European countries.

Modern casinos are characterized by a high level of security. This is largely due to the large amount of money handled within them. The security department is typically divided into a physical security force and a specialized surveillance department that monitors the activities of the casino via closed circuit television. The security forces and surveillance departments work closely together to prevent theft and cheating by both patrons and employees.

While casinos provide a variety of entertainment and other amenities, they are primarily profit centers for the owners. They generate billions of dollars in profits each year from games such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette and craps. Many of these games are considered addictive, and studies indicate that compulsive gambling creates more financial problems in the community than it helps.