What is a Casino?

A casino is a gambling establishment. Casinos often contain slot machines and table games like blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and poker. They may also offer sports betting and other forms of entertainment. Casinos are found in cities and in resorts and are often combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and cruise ships. In the US, anyone over the age of 21 who meets the state’s minimum gambling age can play at a casino. People can also play at casinos outside of the United States. However, people who appear on a state or casino self-exclusion list will not be allowed to gamble at these facilities.

Gambling probably predates recorded history, with primitive protodice and carved six-sided dice appearing at some of the earliest archaeological sites [Source: Schwartz]. But a place where patrons could find a variety of ways to gamble under one roof did not emerge until the 16th century during a gambling craze in Europe. At that time, wealthy Italian aristocrats gathered at private parties called ridotti to enjoy their favorite pastime. Although technically illegal, these parties were rarely bothered by authorities.

Due to the large amounts of money handled in casinos, both staff and patrons may be tempted to cheat or steal. To prevent this, casinos employ a wide range of security measures. Cameras are the most obvious, but a casino’s security staff also watches over the tables and slots with a more focused eye, watching for anything suspicious, including palming, marking, or switching cards or dice.