A Casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is an establishment where people can gamble. Most casinos offer a variety of table games, slot machines, and poker. Some also host live entertainment, such as concerts or stand-up comedy. Casinos can be found worldwide, with the largest concentration in Las Vegas, Nevada. In some cases, the casino may be combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and even cruise ships.

Gambling almost certainly predates recorded history, with primitive proto-dice and carved six-sided dice found at many ancient archaeological sites. But the modern casino as an establishment where patrons can find a wide range of ways to wager under one roof did not appear until the 16th century, with the rise of a gambling craze that swept Europe. In Italy, rich nobles would hold private parties called ridotti to enjoy themselves and their wealth without the risk of being bothered by legal authorities – because technically, gambling was illegal in those times.

Most casinos offer a variety of table games, including baccarat (in the United Kingdom) and trente et quarante in France; blackjack and roulette are standard fixtures in American casinos; and pai gow, fan-tan, two-up and sic bo in Asia. Card games are also popular at casinos, although they are not considered to be a major source of income, as most bettors lose money in the long run.

Because large sums of money are handled within casinos, both patrons and employees can be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently. For this reason, most casinos spend a lot of money on security measures. These usually include physical security forces and specialized departments that monitor the casino’s closed circuit television system, known as “the eye in the sky”.