A casino is an establishment for certain types of gambling. Casinos are often built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and other tourist attractions. The casino industry is regulated by government agencies. Some casinos are owned by major corporations, while others are run by local or state governments. The precise origin of gambling is unknown, but it is widely believed that it has existed in some form throughout history.

Most casinos have a variety of table games, such as blackjack, poker, roulette, and baccarat. They also offer slot machines and video poker. A large percentage of a casino’s income comes from these machines, which are usually programmed to return a specific percentage of the money bet on them. Casinos are also known for their sports betting, and some have extensive horse racing operations.

During the 1990s, casinos dramatically increased their use of technology. For example, in the game of blackjack, chips with built-in microcircuitry allow surveillance personnel to monitor exact amounts wagered minute by minute, and warn staff if a pattern emerges; roulette wheels are electronically monitored regularly to discover quickly any statistical deviation from their expected results; and in poker, specialized software programs can detect telltale patterns in players’ behavior. These programs are created by mathematicians and computer programmers who are called gaming mathematicians and analysts.

Because of the high amount of money handled in casinos, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal. To prevent this, most casinos have very high security measures. Security cameras monitor the premises continuously, and casinos are heavily regulated.