A casino is a place where people can gamble on a variety of games of chance and skill. It may also offer a variety of other luxuries to help attract and retain customers, such as restaurants, free drinks and stage shows. The term casino may also be used to refer to a specific game of chance, such as roulette or baccarat, or a group of games, such as a poker room.

Although gambling probably predates recorded history, the modern casino as a centralized locale for many types of betting was developed in the 16th century, during a time when a gambling craze was spreading throughout Europe. Even then, the earliest casinos were probably less lavish places that housed just one or more gambling activities.

The casino industry is regulated by state governments and is a major employer in some states. Because of the large amounts of money handled by a casino, patrons may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion with each other or independently; this is why most casinos have substantial security measures, including cameras.

Gambling is the main activity in most casinos, with a wide range of table games and slot machines. Some casinos specialize in a certain type of gaming, such as Asian-style games like sic bo and fan-tan, or in a particular region, such as Latin America, where baccarat is popular. Slot machines remain the economic backbone of most American casinos, due to their high volume and rapid play, which can result in big jackpots.